Verdigris Police: Traffic Stop Leads To Meth Bust

Verdigris Police said a traffic stop led them to finding a pound and a half of meth and more than $125,000 in cash inside a car.

Police said the driver, Timothy Michiels, has several gun and drug convictions in other states.

They said he was driving from Indiana to Arizona when they arrested him.

Police said when they stopped Michiels, they found cash everywhere inside the car and a tool bag full of meth, right behind a ten-year-old child.

Verdigris Police are thanking a concerned citizen for helping them with arrest.

"They kind of watched the guy and he was acting a little strange. Kind of suspicious acting,” said Chief Jack Shackelford with Verdigris Police. “They watched him go outside and take a paper tag off and put it in his trunk."

Police said Michiels put an Indiana plate on his car and it was expired so officers stopped him. Officers said Michiels didn't want them looking through his car, but a K9 alerted them to the driver's door so they searched the vehicle.

"He sticks his head in the car and comes back and says there is a lot of money in the car,” said Shackelford.

Chief Shackelford said they saw money everywhere and found a pound and a half of meth in a bag, just feet away from the ten-year-old child.

"It was scattered everywhere,” said Shackelford. “It was in bundles on the floor, bags, and trash bags and in jars."

Shackelford said Michiels has several drug and gun convictions in other states. They said he was driving from Indiana to Arizona and likely got lost.

"This is the biggest money seizure that I've made. So it ranks up there. We are glad to get it and get the dope off the road,” said Shackelford.

Shackelford said these kinds of busts aren't common in Verdigris, but said this arrest is a result of teamwork with the community.

"I wish we had more like him. Just the simple fact that he did that speaks volumes for him. I really appreciate it. I made contact with him afterwards and told him how much I appreciate it,” said Shackelford.

Michiels is in the Rogers County jail for several things, including drug trafficking and child endangerment. The child is now in DHS custody.