Two Men on Probation Get Caught With Meth and Heroin

At around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, a Missoula Police Officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with expired registration near the intersection of Russell and Idaho Street. Due to prior interactions, the officer was able to identify the driver as 29-year-old Danial Hendry. The vehicle’s passenger identified himself as 32-year-old Donald Ritchie and stated he was on probation. Police Public Information Officer Travis Welsh explains.

“The officer noticed two occupants in the vehicle,” Welsh said. “One was in possession of a substance that was later determined to be methamphetamine and was also on probation. A probation officer requested a search of the individual’s in the car. The officers discovered other evidence of drug activity and both males were placed under arrest. Once at the jail, Hendry was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.”

The officer noticed a small bag sitting on the floorboard of Ritchie’s feet that Ritchie was moving around with his foot. The officer believed the movements were made to eliminate the bag from his line of sight. The officer also observed movements and physical identifiers from both occupants consistent with narcotics use.

Officers found illicit drug paraphernalia in the vehicle’s back seat, including a loaded hypodermic needle, which tested positive for heroin. Both Hendry and Ritchie were charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

On January 19, 2021, Hendry was charged with felony theft and felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He allegedly stole a truck and was in possession of heroin.