Cape Coral Police Department K9 Venom poses on a sidewalk alongside four clear baggies of methamphetamine seized during a traffic stop on Del Prado Boulevard South. Image is courtesy of the Cape Coral Police Department.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. - A routine traffic stop on Del Prado Boulevard South escalated into a major drug bust early Tuesday morning when a Cape Coral police dog uncovered a backpack stuffed with methamphetamine inside a black Dodge Durango.
Cape Coral Police Investigation
A Cape Coral police officer said they stopped a black Dodge Durango in the 3400 block of Del Prado Boulevard South around 1:39 a.m. Tuesday after spotting several traffic violations. A K9 handler and partner K9 Venom arrived to assist, and the police dog alerted officers to drugs inside the SUV.
What we know:
During a search of the vehicle, officers said they found a backpack containing four clear plastic baggies filled with a crystal substance. Preliminary testing confirmed the substance was methamphetamine, weighing a total of 97.8 grams.
Lee County Drug Arrest
By the numbers:
Investigators identified the driver and sole owner of the vehicle as 29-year-old Tara Michele Flore, born Aug. 28, 1996.
Police said that statements and evidence connected Flore directly to the contraband discovered inside the backpack.
Officers arrested Flore and took her to the Lee County Jail. She faces a primary charge of trafficking in methamphetamine over 14 grams.
Tara Michele Flore, 29, was booked into the Lee County Jail on a charge of trafficking in methamphetamine over 14 grams. Image is courtesy of the Cape Coral Police Department.
Suspect Court Status
What we don't know:
Authorities have not yet released whether Flore has retained legal representation or posted bail. Court appearance dates have not been publicly detailed by local officials.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the Cape Coral Police Department, which provided arrest details and vehicle search findings in an official department report.