Columbus traffic stop turns to drug arrests

Local News
Whitney Bunting. Photo courtesy of Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department.
Whitney Bunting. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

A traffic stop in Columbus turned into arrests on drug charges early this morning.

An officer noticed a traffic violation at about 1:40 a.m. Wednesday morning near Indiana Avenue and Dahn Street. The driver appeared nervous and initially gave a fake name, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department.  She was identified as 28-year-old Whitney A. Bunting, who had an outstanding arrest warrant.

Columbus police dog Argo and his handler were called and the dog detected the smell of narcotics in the vehicle, Harris said. A search revealed  heroin, multiple syringes, methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Layne Schwartz. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.
Layne Schwartz. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

A passenger, 25-year-old Layne M. Schwartz, 25, was searched and he allegedly had a bag containing syringes and drug paraphernalia, Harris says.

Bunting is facing preliminary charges of possession of marijuana, a legend drug injection device, methamphetamine and of false Informing,

Schwartz is facing preliminary charges of possession of a legend drug injection device and heroin .