WESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — A Weston woman has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute after what started as a traffic stop over an exhaust leak in Weston.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputy who pulled over Betty Townsend, 61, on April 9 noted in a criminal complaint that her behavior appeared to be “nervous and deceptive.” While speaking with Townsend, the deputy “discovered that she had recently had a known habitual narcotics user in her vehicle,” the complaint said.

The deputy then asked for consent to search the vehicle, to which Townsend allegedly said no. After she denied consent, the deputy spoke with dispatch to ask if a K-9 handler was available. When a K-9 with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office was deployed, the dog alerted to the odor of narcotics, the complaint said.

A probable cause search was initiated and deputies found approximately 13 grams of methamphetamine, marijuana, a digital scale, multiple unused small zip-top baggies and $256 in cash, according to the complaint.

Townsend is being held in the Central Regional Jail on $20,000 surety/cash bail.

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