By Bonnie Culverhouse
A routine traffic stop led Minden Police to the arrest of a local woman on multiple drug charges.
Katoyer Lashae Washington, 38, of the 700 block of Yale St., Minden, was arrested for possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, resisting an officer with force or violence, obstruction of justice (attempting to hide evidence), possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of synthetic marijuana, possession of hydrocodone, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without headlights.
Police Chief Jared McIver said Ofc. Ben Sparks and Lt. Chris Hammontree were patrolling in the Middle Landing area around 8 p.m. Friday when they noticed a black Chevy Malibu being driven without headlights.
“When officers stopped the vehicle, they noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from inside,” McIver said. “Off. Cadyn O’Connor and Sgt. Reece Tewell arrived on the scene as back-up. When they asked Washington to step out of the vehicle, she complied and walked in front of Sgt. Tewell’s patrol unit. She was silently gesturing toward an area of her car when asked if there was anything illegal in it.”
McIver said officers asked if there was something in her mouth.
“Without speaking, she stuck her fingers into her mouth while visibly trying to swallow,” said the chief. “Off. O’Connor placed her in handcuffs and requested emergency medical services.”
Washington reportedly tried to pull away and then “began to cough and spit up a red chalk-like substance,” McIver said. “EMS used a tongue depressor to observe if she swallowed anything. It caused her to gag up a plastic baggie which contained suspected ecstasy.”
Capt. Kirk Morgan reportedly rode with EMS as Washington was transported to Minden Medical Center.
During a probable cause search of the Malibu, officers reportedly located 8.39 grams of heroin, 2 grams of synthetic marijuana and 2 hydrocodone tablets.
“Sgt. Tewell tested the substances and confirmed the ecstasy and heroin,” McIver said. “The pills were identified based on their markings.”
It was reportedly determined that Washington did not ingest an overdose amount of narcotics.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
