A traffic stop late Saturday night led to the arrest of an Owensboro man on multiple charges, including aggravated trafficking of fentanyl and possession of a defaced firearm, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
According to a release, DCSO deputies stopped Richard J. Harrison, 22, around 11:45 p.m. on Saturday for speeding in the 9200 block of U.S. 431.
As deputies approached the vehicle, they observed Harrison switching places with a backseat passenger, the release says. According to DCSO, upon contact with the vehicle’s occupants, deputies noticed open alcoholic beverage containers and a strong smell of marijuana.
The release says that during a search of the vehicle, deputies found a loaded handgun with its serial number removed, along with a red backpack containing Harrison’s wallet and ID, plastic baggies, digital scales, marijuana, and a locked grey box.
DCSO determined Harrison had been driving, authorities said. He was arrested and lodged in the Daviess County Detention Center.
The DCSO Special Investigations Unit and Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations detectives later obtained a search warrant for the lockbox, which contained a jar of powdered fentanyl, according to the release.
Harrison was charged with the following offenses:
• Aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance, fentanyl (firearm enhancement)
• Buy/possess drug paraphernalia (firearm enhancement)
• Possession of marijuana (firearm enhancement)
• Possession of a defaced firearm
• Operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license.
