Traffic warning leads to discovery of meth pipe, drug charges

A woman is accused by police of possessing drugs after what began as a traffic-violation warning ended in an arrest on drug charges Thursday afternoon, officers said. 

Melinda Gritt, 51, was arrested on suspicion of possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of prescription drugs and transport of drugs for sale. 

At about 12:10 p.m., Maricopa Police made a traffic stop on a vehicle, near North John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Road, for failing to maintain its lane after travelling in the bicycle lane, police said. 

According to police, while a warning was being written, Gritt, seated in the passenger seat of a police vehicle was found to have a meth pipe in her bra. 

Gritt reportedly told officers that she had one to four grams of methamphetamine in her vehicle. 

Gritt told officers that she would get the meth for them but refused a vehicle search. 

A probable-cause search of the vehicle uncovered a glass pipe with black residue and three unknown white pills in a purse belonging to Gritt, as well as a bag containing a clear crystal-like substance, and another bag containing a white residue, according to officers. 

A third bag, containing crystal-like residue, was found in a duffle bag that officers say belonged to Gritt. 

In total, Gritt was found by officers to be in possession of 31.1 grams of methamphetamine, police reported. 

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