GARDEN CITY -- A Meridian man was arrested after police say they found him slumped over in a drug-induced stupor in the driver's seat of his car early Tuesday morning.
The arrest of 39-year-old Patrick A. Smith marks the second such incident Garden City police officers dealt with in less than 11 hours.
Police say officers were called out to the 5900 block of Glenwood Street at 3:02 a.m. to check on Smith, who was stopped in the parking lot of a business. Officers arrived to find the suspect unconscious in the driver's seat, with the engine of his Mercedes still running.
Officers were able to turn off the ignition and rouse Smith, who was suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Police say investigators determined the driver was in possession of more than two ounces of heroin, nine grams of cocaine, four grams of methamphetamine, 3 Oxycodone pills, a loaded .22 handgun and $10,397.00 in cash.
He was ultimately arrested and booked into the Ada County Jail on felony charges of drug trafficking, drug possession, possession of paraphernalia and possession of a firearm while under the influence.
Hours earlier Monday afternoon, a Garden City officer narrowly escaped injury when another man - originally found unconscious behind the wheel of his Jeep - came to and tried drive away, hitting a patrol car and an officer standing next to his vehicle, police say.
The driver in that case, 25-year-old Alexander J. Flink, and his passenger, 27-year-old Christina A. Bergstrom were both arrested. The pair were also under the influence of drugs, investigators said.
Garden City Police said in a press release the similar cases demonstrate the growing issues with drugs in the Treasure Valley.
"These are very dangerous situations as demonstrated by the incident just hours earlier," the department wrote. "In this case, a large amount of drugs, a firearm and cash were seized. This is one more example of the opiate problem in our area and the danger not only to the users, but the officers and citizens."
Smith was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon.
