Cocaine and Counterfeit Cash Seized in Missoula Apartment

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On July 2, 2024, at approximately 7:27 AM, a Missoula Police Department Officer responded to a report of drugs at an apartment in the 3000 block of Garfield. Probation and Parole (P&P) said they located what appeared to be cocaine during a home visit and requested a patrol officer.  

The MPD officer arrived and the P&P officer said they located what appeared to be a baggie of cocaine underneath a card, sitting next to a rolled-up dollar bill. The parolee was later identified as 26-year-old Matthew Corntassel. 

The officer was escorted to Corntassel’s bedroom where a P&P officer pointed out a small scale and another small baggie located on a TV stand. The P&P officer then directed the officer’s attention to the nightstand where the officer observed a small clear Ziploc baggie sticking out from underneath a debit card with a rolled-up dollar bill sitting on top. The officer collected the small baggie and observed what appeared to be a white powdery substance inside. The substance later tested positive for cocaine. 

According to court documents, the P&P officer said there were also a number of counterfeit bills inside the nightstand.  The officer counted and separated the $100 dollar bills in stacks of ten, which resulted in a total of $8,300. All of the bills were inspected and displayed "For Motion Picture Purposes" and all displayed the same serial number. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Corntassel was placed under arrest and was transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. He is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.  

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