Missoula Jail Staff Find Meth in Man’s Pocket

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On March 22, 2023, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a Missoula Police Department officer was patrolling near a casino in the 3800 block of Brooks Street. During this time, he pulled into the casino parking lot and observed two vehicles. He also observed a male in a camouflage jacket smoking a cigarette. When the male saw the officer’s car, he quickly moved inside the casino.  

The officer knows from his training and experience that that casino is frequented by individuals involved in buying, selling, and using dangerous drugs. According to court documents, the officer noted that he had made an arrest two days prior, in the same location, for someone in possession of 100 fentanyl pills. 

Approximately 14 minutes later, the officer observed two males exit the casino and enter one of the two vehicles in the lot. The male with the camouflage jacket entered the front passenger seat. This male was later identified as 50-year-old Aisake Tuiono. 

Get our free mobile app

The officer saw the vehicle leave the parking lot and it turned east onto Old US Highway 93. The vehicle then stopped before turning onto South Reserve Street. The officer had an unobstructed view of the car and noted it did not use its turn signal. The officer continued to watch the vehicle and observed it again fail to use its turn signal.  

At this time, the officer caught up to the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver and Tuiono provided their names, and both had outstanding warrants. The officer placed Tuiono under arrest and conducted a search. During the search, he located two glass bulbous pipes that appeared consistent with ones used to ingest methamphetamine. 

Tuiono was transported to the jail and during the booking process, jail staff located a small ziplock-style bag in his pants pocket that contained methamphetamine. Tuiono is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.