Major Missoula Drug Bust: 2 Pounds of Meth and More Near a Child

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On November 19th, 2023, along Interstate 90, the Missoula Drug Task Force and the Montana Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop and executed a previously authorized search warrant on a vehicle which was driven by 63-year-old Jeffrey McKinney and occupied by 61-year-old Dee Mock and a six-year-old.

According to court documents, McKinney had stated there were multiple pounds of meth in the back seat area and he also had a large amount of cash on his person, which was later determined to be $1,275. 

MDTF Executes the Search Warrant

Within the rear seat pocket of the driver seat, officers found a plastic shopping bag that contained two Ziploc baggies of suspected psilocybin mushrooms. Under the rear seat, where the child was seated, officers located a brown grocery bag with green writing on it. Within inches of the bag, officers observed a child's drinking cup and activity book, which was found to be touching and or within inches of the grocery store bag. 

The grocery store bag contained two larger bags which contained a white crystal-like substance that was suspected methamphetamine. The grocery bag also contained a smaller baggie, which contained a white powdery substance that was suspected cocaine. 

The suspected methamphetamine was later tested using the TruNarc, which indicated a presumptive positive for methamphetamine and had a total weight of approximately 1.97 lbs. The suspected cocaine was also tested using the TruNarc, which indicated a presumptive positive for cocaine and had an approximate weight of 14.11 grams.  

More Drugs are Located

Within the center console of the vehicle, officers found a white sock containing $7000 in cash. Also within the car near the gear shift, officers located a zippered sunglasses case which contained a pipe that appeared to be the type used to smoke and or ingest methamphetamine.  

On the front passenger seat floorboard area, officers located a black and purple backpack with Disney characters printed on it. Within the backpack, officers located a plastic Ziploc baggie with Hydrocodone written on the bag and containing 3 tablets that matched that of Hydrocodone. Officers also found a purple zippered pouch on the floorboard of the front passenger area that contained multiple baggies of methamphetamine.  

Proximity of the Drugs to the Child

During the search, the task force officer made several observations regarding the proximity of the drugs to the child. The officer noted that based on where the child was seated, her feet would have been touching or resting within inches of the bag containing nearly two pounds of methamphetamine and half an ounce of cocaine.  

Additionally, the bag containing the suspected psilocybin mushrooms was also found to be within arms reach of the child at the time of the traffic stop and any or all of the drugs could have reasonably been retrieved by the child for handling and or ingestion.  

The task force officer noted that based on his training and experience, the amount of drugs recovered from the rear of the vehicle amounts to several thousands of doses, and the amount recovered is not the amount commonly possessed by individuals for personal use. 

Charges They are Now Facing

Both McKinney and Mock were placed under arrest and were transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility.

McKinney is currently being charged with felony criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, felony criminal possession with intent to distribute, felony unlawful use or possession of property subject to criminal forfeiture, felony child criminal endangerment, and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Mock is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and felony child criminal endangerment.  

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