Traffic stop leads to drug bust

CLINTONVILLE — Taea L. Powers, 23, is facing multiple felony drug charges after a traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drugs in her possession and at her residence.
She was charged March 10 in Waupaca County Circuit Court with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, and misdemeanor counts of possessing THC and drug paraphernalia.
She was stopped by Clintonville police on Feb. 27. A sergeant stopped a Chevrolet Malibu on South Main Street after noticing the vehicle had a loud exhaust and recognizing the driver as a woman with a suspended license from a stop the previous week. Powers was a passenger in the vehicle at the time.
During the stop, a police canine alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. Although three small children were in the backseat, officers allowed them to remain in the car due to low temperatures while they searched the front of the vehicle.
According to the criminal complaint, officers found a multicolored backpack near Powers containing two digital scales, unused “gem” baggies, and a black zipper case holding a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. Inside a separate purse belonging to Powers, police reportedly found numerous needles and a flowered container holding 9.83 grams of a powdery rock substance that field-tested positive for crack cocaine.
Because Powers was already on probation, officers conducted an Act 79 search of her apartment on South Main Street later that night. Inside her bedroom, investigators reported finding more methamphetamine, glass smoking devices, THC products, and nitric oxide inhalants. They also located a marble tray and a debit card, both covered in a white powdery residue.
The driver of the vehicle was issued traffic citations for operating while suspended and driving without proof of insurance.