(BRONSON TOWNSHIP) - A woman is facing drug charges following a traffic stop.
Branch County Sheriff Fred Blankenship says just after 12 AM Wednesday, deputies made a traffic stop on U.S. 12 near Bawden Road in Bronson Township. Deputies developed reasonable suspicion of narcotics activity and requested assistance from the Coldwater Police K-9 Unit.
The K-9 Officer and their handler arrived and did an open-air sniff, and alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search was done and deputies located more than 240 grams of crystal meth along with a substantial quantity of heroin, both packaged in a manner consistent with distribution.
The driver, 39 year old Tairum Lee-Ann Smith of Angola was arrested and taken to the Branch County Jail. During her arraignment in Branch County District Court, it was announced that she now lives in Coldwater.
Smith plead 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.
Online court documents state that Smith allegedly admitted to purchasing the meth and planned to sell it.
Smith is being held in the Branch County Jail with her bond set at $150,000. If she is able to post bond, Smith is prohibited from using or possessing controlled substance. She will also be subject to random drug testing and will not be able to leave Michigan without approval.
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for December 2 and a preliminary hearing on December 9.