Hiawassee traffic stop nets three drug arrests

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department arrested and charged three suspects with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug-related objects shortly after noon on Sunday, April 28. An officer with the city law enforcement agency conducted a search after stopping a red Chevrolet S-10 for an expired license plate, near Valero gas station on State Route 76.

Robert David West, 40, of Hiawassee, was the driver of the vehicle at the time the traffic stop was initiated. Passengers included Mindy Lynn Taschner, 47, and Michael Cale Bowers, 25.

Hiawassee Police Department executed a probable cause-based search of the vehicle upon detecting the odor of marijuana, leading to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug-related objects. The three suspects were taken into custody and transported to Towns County Detention Center, each independently charged with possession of a controlled substance. The driver of the vehicle was additionally charged with an expired registration.

The case will be submitted to the Enotah Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.