Two arrested after police canine alerts to drugs in vehicle

Two people were arrested after a Columbus Police Department canine detected an odor of narcotics inside their vehicle.

Columbus Police Officer Jeremy Jones stopped a car at 9 p.m. Monday for a minor traffic violation in the 900 block of Gladstone Avenue, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

Jones later walked his canine partner Max around the vehicle where the dog alerted to narcotics, Harris said. During a search, officers found marijuana and drug paraphernalia on the driver, Felix A. Rodriguez Jr., 55, Jonesville, Harris said. Officers also found heroin, two syringes and drug paraphernalia in a purse belonging to Jessica N. Hynes, 32, Columbus, who was a passenger in the vehicle, Harris said.

Felix A. Rodriguez Jr.
Felix A. Rodriguez Jr.
Jessica N. Hynes
Jessica N. Hynes

The two were searched again at the Bartholomew County Jail and officers found methamphetamine and additional paraphernalia that Rodriguez had concealed in his clothing, Harris said.

Rodriguez was arrested on preliminary charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking with an inmate, Harris said.

Hynes was arrested on charges of possession of heroin, possession of a legend drug injection device and possession of drug paraphernalia, Harris said.

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.