On January 29, 2008, members of the Prince George’s County Police Interdiction Unit were conducting hotel / motel interdiction efforts at the Red Roof Inn, Lanham. During surveillance of the parking lot an individual was observed walking to the door of room #105. The individual began to look around the parking lot and then walked away from the door over to a parked vehicle.
The individual was approached and interviewed, at which time he denied any relationship motel room #105. The individual acted very nervous and continued to look towards room #105. As the interview continued several discrepancies were found with his story, the individual finally advised he was in fact living in room #105 and provided a room key.
The individual then gave Detectives consent to search the room. The detectives opened room #105 and found the room to be extremely cluttered with boxes, food and trash. The Detectives then requested a drug scan of the room by Corporal Reighard #2152 and his Canine partner “SHADOW”.
Corporal Reighard #2152 began the scan at the front door of room #105, working in a clockwise direction. The team encountered a large pile of boxes, clothes and food at the first corner of the room. Canine “SHADOW” then began to shut down and inhale deeply; “SHADOW” changed his search pattern and began to work the scent cone back towards the motel room door. Upon reaching the door, “SHADOW” turned again and began working the scent back towards the corner.
Corporal Reighard #2152 noticed “SHADOW” working back and forth, and observed that a Detective was holding the door slightly open from the outside looking in. Corporal Reighard #2152 realized that this was disrupting the scent cone and had the Detective shut the door. “SHADOW’ then worked the scent cone back to the corner and continued to the bed, “SHADOW” jumped onto the bed and placed his nose onto the end of the light over the bed. “SHADOW” began to indicate on the light by scratching.
Corporal Reighard #2152 completed the drug scan of the room with no other indications given by “SHADOW”. The Detectives were advised of “SHADOW’s” indication. The light was examined and the end cap was pried off, a void space was found between the light bulb and wiring system. Located in this void were 59.7 grams of Marijuana and 6.2 grams of Crack Cocaine.
