Traffic stop turns into drug bust
By Amy Robinson
Farmer Staff Writer
What started out as a standard search warrant at a Watford City residence, ended in the arrest of three men and the discovery of a long list of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
On Friday, June 12, at about 7:30 p.m. a search warrant was conducted on tan and white trailers located at the residence of 56-year-old Michael Moran, located at 504 30th Avenue NE in Watford City, resulting in the discovery of suspected methamphetamine paraphernalia, methamphetamine, marijuana, and marijuana paraphernalia.
The Northwest Narcotics Task Force with the assistance of the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office and the Watford City Police Department joined together to execute the search warrant on Moran’s residence. Upon arrival, officers knocked on Moran’s door and announced they had a search warrant. Law enforcement noticed both trailers were padlocked from the outside. Entry was then made on the padlocked trailers. Moran was detained inside the residence upon entry, where he stated to law enforcement officers that there was marijuana inside his mobile home.
A further search of the two trailers led to the discovery of a green pill bottle containing suspected marijuana residue, an ‘Aleve Liquid Gel’ pill bottle containing suspected marijuana residue, a clear ‘Gatorade’ bottle containing two syringes, multiple broken and whole glass pipes with suspected methamphetamine residue, two black digital scales – one with suspected methamphetamine residue, a silver digital scale, multiple quarter-sized clear plastic baggies, handwritten documents of ‘pay/owe’ amounts, a key container containing cut straws, a razor blade, a small metal dish, a first aid kit containing multiple glass tubes, a box of unused syringes, and multiple various brand cellular phones.
Simultaneously at the 600 block of Main Street in Watford City, law enforcement witnessed 54-year-old Coy Wood in a red Kia Optima driving southbound on Main Street. A traffic stop was conducted by a Watford City K-9 Unit and a search warrant was conducted resulting in the further discovery of suspected methamphetamine paraphernalia, methamphetamine, marijuana, and marijuana paraphernalia. The vehicle also contained two passengers identified as Ashley Haugen, who was in the rear passenger seat and Edward Chacon, who was in the front passenger seat.
The search of the red Kia Optima led to the discovery of three broken glass pipes containing suspected methamphetamine residue, a small auto light bulb containing suspected methamphetamine residue, a multi-colored glass pipe containing suspected marijuana residue, a fifth clear glass pipe, a switch/spring-assisted knife, a blow torch, a large zip-lock bag containing suspected marijuana, a small zip-lock bag containing suspected marijuana, a black digital scale with suspected methamphetamine residue, multiple packaged small plastic baggies, a zip-lock bag containing suspected methamphetamine, a small plastic baggie containing suspected methamphetamine, a small yellow ledger/business notepad, a small plastic bag containing an unknown peanut butter-like substance, an automotive lock-picking set, an assorted set of keys, and multiple various brand cellular phones.
Four hundred eighty-two dollars was also found on Wood and seized. It was also discovered that Chacon had a warrant for his arrest. Both he and Wood were arrested and transported to the McKenzie County Correctional Facility.
Moran has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver - a Class B Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - a Class A Misdemeanor. Wood has been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver - 3rd offense or more - a Class A Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - a Class C Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - a Class A Misdemeanor, and Possession of Marijuana by a Driver - a Class A Misdemeanor.