Surprise find nets more drug charges

By Barry Porterfield
Staff Writer

Illegal drugs stashed in a false compartment has landed even more criminal allegations for a Wynnewood woman who had multiple charges filed against her just a month ago.

Found in the bottom of a potato chip container during a traffic stop were several grams of methamphetamine resulting in charges Tuesday against Jennifer Lynn Sanders, 24.

It was in mid-January when Sanders was formally charged with stealing a vehicle and drug trafficking and possession.

This new round of legal problems began when she was stopped early Tuesday morning by Garvin County deputies near Walnut and South.

The stop was made after deputies received information leading them to believe Sanders had in her possession a large amount of meth “ice” for distribution in the general area of Pauls Valley and Wynnewood.

Minutes before the traffic stop Sanders’ vehicle was spotted in an alley near a Pauls Valley residence.

While driving alone, Sanders was stopped and cited for expired insurance verification.

During a search of the vehicle deputies found a can of potato chips in a bag. Opening the can they saw all the chips were crushed and broken. Emptying the container they noticed it was only half full.

They also noticed the bottom of the can could be unscrewed and taken completely off.

Inside the concealed area deputies found several small bags — five in all — containing about 6 1/2 grams of meth. Several other bags, typically used to distribute the drug, were also found in the can.

Sanders received a felony charge of possessing the drug with intent to distribute, filed in Garvin County District Court.

Misdemeanor counts included driving under the influence of drugs and paraphernalia possession, which included a spoon for meth ingestion and the chip container.

Sanders’ earlier charges came after a Jan. 16 drug arrest at an apartment in Pauls Valley’s downtown area, which included surveillance equipment being found inside.

Five charges were filed against Sanders at that time. She was later released after a $77,000 bond was posted.