Missoula Couple Caught With Over 500 Fentanyl Pills

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On January 3, 2024, a Montana Highway Patrol Trooper was contacted by a Motor Carrier Service Officer regarding a black Nissan Frontier pickup, which she had observed pull into the westbound scale house near mile marker 15 on I-90. The MCS Officer informed the trooper that she observed a male exit the vehicle, run across I-90 into the ditch, pick up a medium-sized object, and zip it up within his coat. 

The MCS Officer made contact with the male, who identified himself as “Travis” who worked for the “State.” The officer asked the male what was under his coat and if she could see it, to which the male stated he had a colostomy bag under his coat, which he was embarrassed about and refused to show the officer. The MCS Officer stated the male got into his vehicle, immediately left, and headed east on I-90. The MCS Officer provided pictures of the vehicle as well as a license. 

Troopers Locate the Suspect Vehicle 

Another trooper located the vehicle on Highway 200 and initiated a traffic stop. The trooper made contact with the driver and noted the vehicle was occupied by one front passenger and one rear passenger. The driver was identified as 30-year-old Alexandra Harlan. Harlan was asked for her license, registration, and proof of insurance. Harlan stated she did not have a license and acknowledged that it was suspended. She also stated she believed she had a warrant. The trooper also learned that Harlan had been involved in an investigation in November that involved 2,000 fentanyl pills. 

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The passenger was identified as 33-year-old Jonathon Dickinson. Dickinson would not speak further with the trooper and when the trooper would look away, Dickinson would try and move around, as if he was trying to hide something. The trooper further found Dickinson had multiple warrants for theft, failure to comply, and reckless endangerment of emergency personnel. Dickinson was placed in handcuffs for his warrant and placed in a patrol car.  

Troopers Locate Drugs in the Vehicle 

The trooper deployed his K9 partner, who positively alerted to the presence of narcotics within the vehicle. The trooper applied for and was granted a search warrant for the car. According to court documents, troopers searched the car and found one baggie of blue fentanyl pills inside a small purse in the back of the vehicle, as well as multiple additional baggies of blue pills under both front seats. Additionally, the troopers found a container of methamphetamine. A trooper approximated the number of fentanyl pills within the vehicle to be above 500 but less than 1,000. 

Dickinson and Harlan were both placed under arrest and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. Both are currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute. On January 5, 2023, both made their initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court. Dickinson’s bond was set at $50,000 and Harlan’s was set at $15,000. 

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.