(KLZA) -- The Richardson County Sheriff’s Department recently assisted the Falls City Police Department with a drug related arrest utilizing the Sheriff’s Office drug detection dog.

On January 17th, just past 7 p-m Police Officer Patrick Stamper made a traffic stop on a vehicle near 7th and Lane Streets in Falls City.  Officer Stamper smelled a faint odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  When he asked for consent to search the vehicle, the driver,  Levi Campbell refused.  Officer Stamper requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Office, and Sergeant Lew Barker of the Sheriff’s Office responded with drug detector dog “Wiley”.

Sergeant Barker deployed “Wiley” around the suspect vehicle and the dog alerted, indicating the presence of illegal drugs.  The indication and alert to the presence of illegal drugs by a certified drug detection dog is probable cause to support a search of a vehicle without consent.

During the search, several bags of what was suspected to be marijuana were found and Levi Campbell was arrested.  Campbell has been charged with possession of drugs with intent to distribute and is presently free on bond.  

“Wiley” was obtained free of charge, from the Falls City Police Department after he had been relinquished by his former owner.  The Richardson County Sheriff’s Office accepted “Wiley” from the city pound the day before he was to be put to sleep. “Wiley” is now a certified drug detection dog by the Nebraska State Patrol and Sergeant Barker is certified as a drug detection dog handler by the State Patrol.