SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. -- Spokane County deputies took two people into custody after a drug stop led to a drug bust.
It happened Sunday around 2:15 a.m. at 3rd and Carnahan in Spokane Valley.
Deputies pulled over Lanelle Whitaker, 34, for multiple traffic violations. Police say she originally gave a different name to deputies, but they soon after discovered her real identity. They arrested her for driving without a valid license.
As deputies interviewed the driver, they noticed the passenger was clutching a bag between his legs. When police looked up Tracy Thornton, 50, they realized he was wanted for nine outstanding felony warrants.
Deputies decided to investigate further. Upon searching Whitaker, they say they found $1,500 in Whitaker’s pants and 19 bags of drugs including pills, powder and a crystal substance in Thorton's bag. This was in addition to pipes, scales and more money.
After a field test, deputies learned the drugs were methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine.
Thorton was booked into the Spokane Co. Jail for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and the nine outstanding warrants from before the traffic stop.
Whitaker was cited and released for driving with an invalid license.
