A Beverly man was arrested in Morgan County Sunday coming back from Columbus with drugs hidden in his vehicle, according to police.
Working from an anonymous tip, the Major Crimes Task Force was able to work with the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, the Beverly Police Department and the Marietta Police Department's K-9 Unit to conduct a traffic stop near Ohio 83 and Center Bend Road, just outside of Beverly, said Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks.
Joseph A. Anderson, 25, of 1954 State Route 83, was arrested around 5 p.m. for a second-degree felony charge of having a hidden compartment, a third-degree felony charge of possession of heroin and misdemeanor charges of possession of suboxone and possession of marijuana. An additional misdemeanor charge of driving under suspension will likely be forthcoming, said Mincks.
After a canine indicated the presence of drugs in the vehicle, the officers extensively searched it and found a hidden compartment which concealed a bag of marijuana.
"The Marietta Police Department's K-9 unit was there and the dog kept indicating on drugs and we just kept looking and looking until we noticed this thing was a little loose and we found this hidden compartment," Mincks said.
In the passenger side rear door, a cup holder and portion of the arm rest had been modified to conceal the drugs. Recent legislation made it a felony to have such hideaways in one's vehicle, said Mincks.
The dog continued to indicate after the marijuana had been removed so officers continued searching and found six grams of heroin hidden under the dash on the passenger side.
Anderson is being held in Morgan County, said Mincks. The Morgan County Sheriff's Office declined to comment on the case.
