Ingo the Police Canine Catches Drugs During Traffic Stop

By Bay City News Service —  Two people were arrested Friday night in Novato after a police narcotics enforcement dog smelled the odor of drugs inside a vehicle during a traffic stop, a Novato police sergeant said.

Craig Hassenzahl, 48, of Sonoma County, and Viktoria Schmidt, 23, of Novato, were inside a vehicle driven by Hassenzahl when Ingo a police canine stopped them at Redwood and Rowland boulevards at 8:09 p.m. Friday, police Sgt. Nick Frey said.

Ingo conducted an exterior "sniff" of the vehicle and alerted the officer, Cpl. Kevin Naugle, about smelling drugs within it, according to Frey. Naugle searched the vehicle and located several grams of what appeared to be methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia and a billy club-like weapon, Frey said.

Hassenzahl was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, displaying a false vehicle registration and possession of a dangerous weapon, Frey said.

Police arrested Schmidt on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, Frey said. Novato police have three canines trained to detect narcotics, Frey said.