A traffic stop in Bellefontaine late Friday night led to a drug arrest, with K9 Pyro playing a key role in finding narcotics inside the vehicle.
According to a police report, the incident happened around 11:45 p.m., when officers stopped a blue GMC SUV after discovering its registration had expired on US 33.
The driver was identified as Derek Riker, 43, of Wharton, Ohio.
During the traffic stop, officers noticed Riker was visibly nervous and sweating heavily.
He also gave conflicting answers about where he had been and who owned the vehicle.
K9 Pyro and additional officers arrived to assist.
Then Pyro was deployed for a free-air sniff around the vehicle.
According to the report, Pyro gave a positive alert for the odor of narcotics, prompting officers to search the SUV.
During the search, officers found a black backpack on the front passenger seat.
Inside was a small pill bottle with a worn label containing pink capsules and white powder.
The powder was field-tested by officers and tested positive for cocaine.
The cocaine and pill bottle were seized and will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for further testing.
Riker was booked into the Logan County Jail on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
