Routine Patrol Leads To Drug Arrest In a Missoula Park

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On October 8, 2025, Missoula Police Department Officers were conducting patrol of Lions Park when they made contact with two subjects who were sleeping near the halfway point of the California Street footbridge. One officer knew one of the subjects as 20-year-old Izayah Smith from previous interactions. The officer informed the other officer that Smith is a known fentanyl and methamphetamine user.  

The officer asked Smith for consent to search his person, and Smith agreed. According to court documents, the officer assured Smith that this was a consent search and that Smith could ask the officer to stop at any time. Smith stated that he understood. Then the officer found in the right cargo pocket of Smith’s pants a syringe along with a small plastic bag that had the residue of a white powder inside it. 

The officer then read Smith his Miranda rights and asked Smith if he understood these rights. Smith answered affirmatively. Smith then proceeded to state that the small plastic bag used to contain methamphetamine. Then the officer brought a glass bottle that was found next to Smith to the other officer. The officer asked Smith if the bottle belonged to him, and Smith answered affirmatively. The officer asked Smith what was inside the bottle, and Smith replied with “Not fentanyl.”  

Get our free mobile app

It was at this time that Smith decided to recant and say that the glass bottle was not his. The officer transported Smith to the Missoula County Detention Center and noticed a breast pocket on his outer jacket that the officer had failed to search before transporting. Detention staff searched this pocket and found a glass bulbous pipe, the kind of which is commonly used for the consumption of dangerous drugs.  

The powder residue of the glass bottle was tested with TruNarc, and a positive test result for methamphetamine was observed. The small plastic bag, the glass pipe, and the glass bottle were impounded as evidence, and the syringe was impounded for destruction. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Smith 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.