Man Hides Crystal Meth in a Soda Can in Front of Missoula Police

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On September 20, 2024, a Missoula Police Department Officer was walking near Citi Lodge Island when she observed someone sitting under the bridge. The officer was only able to see the individual’s bottom half, but while in the vicinity, she heard the flicking of a lighter. The officer leaned down and looked under the bridge. She saw a male, later identified as Timothy Barnes, holding a lighter and a methamphetamine pipe.  

The officer called out to Barnes who began moving the drug paraphernalia out of her view. The officer asked Barnes to step toward her and another officer, but Barnes continued to try and hide the pipe next to a suitcase, which was next to him. The officer told Barnes not to hide the pipe and to come out, but Barnes then stood up and started reaching into his pocket.  

Barnes removed a small baggie from his pocket and then reached up into the bridge’s rafters. Once Barnes brought his hands back down from the rafter, the baggie was no longer in his hands. 

Then Barnes came out from the bridge and was placed into handcuffs. An officer went under the bridge and observed a newer-looking Dr. Pepper can sitting on the rafter. She looked inside the can and saw a small plastic baggie floating on top. Additionally, there were numerous uncapped, used, hypodermic needles, empty baggies, and other various drug paraphernalia strewn around the area.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

The officer cut the soda can, revealing a small plastic baggie with a crystal rock inside, which both officers recognized as methamphetamine. According to court documents, Barnes admitted the substance was crystal meth and admitted that he was trying to smoke meth out of his meth pipe under the bridge. When asked why he was trying to hide it, Barnes stated he was sorry, scared, and that it was expensive. 

Barnes is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.  

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