Meth Found at a California Street Bridge Encampment in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 10, 2026, Missoula Police Department Officers were conducting a patrol of the Broadway Island near the California Street Bridge. The first officer observed a large encampment with several individuals. While approaching the group, another officer observed a male, later identified as 35-year-old Deo Laurence, holding a hypodermic syringe.  

Laurence observed law enforcement approaching and immediately attempted to hide the syringe under his leg. Based on training and experience, the officer believed Laurence was in possession of drug paraphernalia. Laurence was detained and placed in handcuffs while the other three individuals at the encampment were given warnings for public nuisance.  

The other officer checked the syringe and observed a white crystalline substance inside consistent with methamphetamine. Laurence was Mirandized and spoke to the officer. Laurence advised he had to meet a pastor to begin treatment paperwork, but wanted to “get high one last time.” Laurence explained he was holding the syringe in front of him, but then put it by his leg. According to court documents, Laurence admitted the substance in the syringe was “clear”, which is a common street name for methamphetamine.  

Officers collected Laurence’s belongings, including a backpack and a sweatshirt. Then the officer located a small baggie containing a white substance suspected to be methamphetamine next to Laurence’s belongings. Laurence advised the substance in the baggie was “clear”, again a street name for methamphetamine. The officer also located what appeared to be a tooter straw in Laurence’s sweatshirt. 

Laurence also consented to a search of his backpack. Officers located multiple syringes and a glass mason jar with a brown, sandy-like rock substance that may be cannabis, but did a field test presumptively positive for Fentanyl. The total package weight of the brown substance was 195.61 grams. The suspected methamphetamine in the baggie was field tested and resulted in a presumptive positive for methamphetamine. 

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Laurence was arrested and 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.