Detective Watts makes routine traffic stop, becomes drug bust
BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County Detective Caleb Watts made a routine traffic stop which led to the arrest of suspects with warrants and a drug seizure.
According to Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer, the narcotics seized have a street value of $16,800.
Jason Rick Sands faces three counts, which include trafficking in methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is originally from Lancaster, Calif., and has prior convictions in Los Angeles County for transporting, selling, possession of narcotics.
Sands has a bond set at $200,000, faces arraignment in Boundary County on Aug. 18, and faces sentencing on Aug. 30 in Kootenai County for an outstanding warrant.
According to court records, on July 19 at 2:37 p.m., Watts was on duty driving an unmarked vehicle issued by the sheriff’s office. He turned from Kootenai Street and entered Highway 95 when he spotted a maroon Cadillac speeding past him.
The detective testified the driver sped through the intersection and entered the merging lane to pass other vehicles, almost causing a collision.
After pulling over the vehicle, Watts testified he identified the driver as Christian Stanzione and passenger as Jason Sands, who he said was sweating and seemed nervous, moving around in his seat.
After Boundary County Deputy Mike Valenzuela arrived and deployed narcotics K-9 Buddy to search the car, he talked to Stanzione and Sands.
Watts stated it was at this point that Sands began shaking and handed a bag over to him, saying, “It’s meth. It’s all mine.”
Watts placed the narcotics on the car’s hood, discovered Sands had an outstanding felony warrant in Kootenai County and placed him under arrest.
The bag had three white bags inside with a white crystal substance, which was later tested and confirmed as methamphetamine; the bag weighed about 6 ounces.
The bag had a Walther P22; semi-automatic pistol chambered for .22 rimfire ammunition — the pistol had a scratched-off serial number.
Additionally, Watts discovered in a second bag a loaded syringe with a clear substance and a scale.
According to a news release, Sands appeared to be having medical issues and was transported by ambulance to Boundary Community Hospital, where he was treated and released. Sands was then charged and booked.
