Woman Leaves Fentanyl in the Back of a Missoula Police Car

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On February 18, 2024, a Missoula Police Department Officer observed a White Toyota Camry without a front license plate and a smashed driver-side headlight exiting the Sleep Inn. The officer initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle at the Cabela’s Parking Lot. The officer arrested the driver for an outstanding warrant.  

Another officer advised that the vehicle had been seized and searched previously and was found to have alterations to the interior and compartments within that were either non-factory or exploited natural voids within the body of the vehicle. The officer identified the vehicle’s passenger as 22-year-old Dominique Montoya. Montoya also had a warrant associated with her name and the officer placed her under arrest. 

Upon re-approaching the vehicle, the officer observed a “scraper” on the passenger floorboard. This was a paperclip that appeared to be manipulated into a scraper instrument of illicit narcotic paraphernalia. The officer also observed a container of what appeared to be a roll of tinfoil behind the passenger seat. 

Another officer transported Montoya to the Missoula County Detention Facility. During transport, Montoya kept moving around in the back seat. When they got to the jail, staff found a small plastic bag containing a white crystal substance and several pieces of foil with burnt residue in Montoya’s left sock. According to court documents, Montoya told the staff the crystal was either methamphetamine or fentanyl powder. 

When the officer returned to his patrol car, he found 20–30 blue fentanyl pills in a clear plastic container on the floorboard where Montoya had been seated. The officer also observed pieces of foil and what looked to be a melted blue pill on the floorboard. 

Montoya was the first person the officer had transported during his shift. Video footage from the back seat camera showed Montoya trying to grip something with her toes after removing her left shoe and then trying to kick towards the corner where the items were located. It appeared Montoya was trying to destroy the items or shove them under the cage wall with her foot. 

Montoya is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs, felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. 

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