Saturday evening, August 8 around 11 p.m., a Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy was monitoring traffic on I-41, north of Highway 167 when a northbound SUV was observed traveling 88 mph in a posted 70 mph zone.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, near Western Avenue. As the deputy was initiating the traffic stop, the deputy observed a small baggie being thrown from the driver’s side of the vehicle. The multicolored pressed tablets were recovered and field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

With assistance from the Grafton Police Department and its K9 unit, a free-air sniff was conducted around the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert. The search of the vehicle only resulted in locating open intoxicants.

The driver, a 44-year-old Racine man, was taken into custody. He has a previous conviction for possession with intent of distributing cocaine and is also on federal probation.

He was also cited for speeding, operating after suspension of registration and possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle.

Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis stated in a press release, “proactive patrol is one of the most effective tools we have to keep Washington County safe. What may begin as a speeding violation or other traffic stop can uncover impaired driving, illegal drugs, wanted individuals, or other criminal activity. Our deputies are not just enforcing traffic laws, they are preventing harm, protecting families on our roadways, and removing dangerous substances before they can impact our communities.”