Traffic stop leads to drug arrest

A Coldwater woman was arrested on drug-related offenses following a traffic stop in Branch County’s Bronson Township earlier this week.

Sheriff Fred Blankenship said a vehicle driven by 39-year-old Tarium LeeAnn Smith was stopped shortly after midnight Wednesday on U.S. 12 near Bawden Road.

As Smith was being interviewed, deputies established reasonable suspicion of narcotics, prompting aid from Coldwater Police Department’s K-9 unit. Blankenship said the K-9 officer reacted to the presence of narcotics. A search resulted in the seizure of more than 240 grams of crystal meth, along with an undisclosed quantity of heroin.

Blankenship said both were packaged in a manner consistent with potential distribution.

Smith pleaded not guilty to felony charges of delivery and manufacture of meth; delivery and manufacture of cocaine, heroin or meth; and operating while license suspended, revoked or denied.

She is due back in court Dec. 2, authorities said.