Missoula Man Had Drugs Hanging From a Hole in His Ear

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On December 17, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a Missoula Police Department Officer observed a male on an orange moped driving south on Ryman Street. The moped the male was riding was readily identifiable as a match to one that was reported stolen. The officer performed a traffic stop and identified the male as 28-year-old Kenneth Cobert.  

The officer immediately noticed that Cobert had a hypodermic needle hanging from a hole in his right ear. The officer requested that Cobert remove the needle from his ear and place it on the sidewalk. Cobert told the officer that he found the moped near a dumpster and believed it to be trash. The officer contacted the owner of the moped who did not wish to pursue theft charges.

Once the theft investigation was completed, the officer seized the needle that was previously in Cobert’s possession and the substance tested positive for methamphetamine. When asked about the methamphetamine, Cobert stated he believed the substance was “a wash.”

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The officer placed Cobert under arrest. During the search incident to arrest, officers located a small multi-colored rubber box. Before searching this box, officers obtained consent from Cobert. Inside the box, officers discovered a small piece of tin foil containing residue from suspected fentanyl use. The items were seized and stored at the Missoula Police Department pending transport to the Montana State Crime Lab for chemical analysis. 

Cobert was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. 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.