Potential Drug Dealer Drops Cocaine in a Missoula Store

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - At approximately 5:08 a.m. on October 6, 2023, a Missoula Police Department Officer was dispatched to a drug call for service at the Zip Trip on Toole Avenue. The employee said a male came into the store, left, and a small white bag of drugs was on the ground. The officer met with the employee who gave the officer the small baggie of what appeared to be crushed-up methamphetamine or cocaine. 

She stated it was a black male and it was her first customer of the day, so she knew the drugs had not been there before. She pulled up the video footage of the male walking into the store. The video shows the male reaching into his pocket to pull out money, at which time a small baggie falls to the ground. The male bought one black and mild cigar and left the store. On video, the employee then picks up the baggie with a glove. 

The officer collected the drugs, printed out a photograph of the suspect, and walked out to her patrol vehicle. The officer looked out towards Broadway and saw the suspect male walking east on Toole Avenue. The officer asked for another unit to come to her location.  

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Officer Locates the Male Suspect

The officer got into her patrol vehicle and drove up behind the male. The officer initiated her overhead lights and the male turned around. The officer asked for his name, and he provided his identification card from North Dakota. The officer identified the male as 33-year-old Kenneth Williams.  

Williams then stated, "I don't have any drugs on me." At this point, the officer had not explained to Williams the reason for the stop. Williams said he went to Zip Trip to buy the cigar and then he left. He continued to say he didn't do anything wrong.  

After a backing officer arrived, the officer told Williams he was called to Zip Trip for drugs that were found on the ground in front of the counter. Williams said they weren't his drugs. The officer then placed Williams under arrest for criminal possession of dangerous drugs.  

More Drugs at the Jail

The officer transported Williams to the Missoula County Detention Facility. As the officer was completing the arrest report, the detention officers asked the officer to come over to the counter where they were taking inventory of Williams’ items. The detention officer showed the officer a clear baggie with eight small baggies with a white chalky substance inside.  

According to court documents, the detention officer found the drugs inside Williams’ underwear in the "flap area." Williams also had $583 in cash. The officer asked Williams about the baggies of drugs that were found inside his underwear and he continued to claim those weren't his drugs. The officer used the TruNarc instrument to test the white substance, which tested positive for cocaine.  

The officer reviewed Williams’ criminal history related to drugs. On March 6, 2010, he was convicted of dangerous drugs by the Detroit Police Department. On February 11, 2012, he was convicted of dangerous drugs and controlled substance delivery and manufacturing by the Detroit Police Department. On July 21, 2023, he was charged with prostitution and distribution of drugs by the Bozeman Police Department. 

Williams is currently being charged with felony criminal possession with intent to distribute. On October 6, 2023, Williams made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court and his bond was set at $10,000. 

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