Lafayette-On March 4, 2013 at approximately 9:30 p.m, troopers conducted a traffic stop at Shenandoah Drive near State Road 26 in Lafayette, IN for an expired license plate and discovered an active Methamphetamine lab inside the car.
Trooper Kenton Wainscott and Probationary Trooper Stephen Grayson advised after stopping the red 1999 Kia, contact was made with the driver, Valorie L. Smith, 38 years old from Lafayette and the two passengers, Casey M. Lee, 35 years old and Heather N. Wales, 33 years old both from Lafayette. A strong chemical smell was coming from inside the vehicle and troopers discovered a mobile meth lab inside the vehicle. All three of the occupants were taken into custody and booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail on charges of;
Casey M. Lee-Manufacturing Methamphetamine a Class B Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine a Class D Felony
Valorie L. Smith Manufacturing Methamphetamine a Class B Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine a Class D Felony
Maintaining a common nuisance a Class D Felony
Heather N. Wales Manufacturing Methamphetamine a Class D Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine a Class D Felony
Maintaining a common nuisance a Class D Felony
Routine traffic stops are not routine anymore. Many traffic violators who receive a ticket will make the comment to the officer that they should be out catching drug dealers or bank robbers. Criminals use vehicles to get around so an officer never knows who or what is in the vehicle until they walk up to the window.
Assisting at the scene was the Lafayette Police Department.
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Suspects are considered innocent until and when proven guilty in a court of law.
