Wanted Man Drops Meth in Front of Missoula Police

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 20, 2024, a Missoula Police Department Officer located 51-year-old Clayton Shaya on the Scott Street Bridge in the City of Missoula. The officer knew there was a warrant for Shaya’s arrest. Upon request, Shaya got off his bicycle to speak with the officer.

Shaya was instructed that officers were going to remove his backpack and that he should not reach into his pockets. Instead, Shaya allegedly shielded his body away from the officer, quickly reached into his right-hand coat pocket, removed an item and attempted to place something inside a glove he was holding in his hand.

However, Shaya fumbled it and it fell to the ground. The item that fell was a small green Ziploc-style drug baggie inside another Ziploc bag. According to court documents, Shaya immediately turned and looked at the officer and said, “God damn it.”

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Shaya was placed under arrest for his warrant and the officer retrieved the bag. Court documents indicate it contained an opaque pink crystalline substance that was consistent with methamphetamine. It was later tested with a TruNarc device and tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Shaya was transported to the Missoula County Detention Facility. This case was filed directly to District Court and Shaya’s bond was set at $10,000.

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