The following press release was sent by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office:

CAMP VERDE - On June 6, 2008 at approximately 12:30 P.M., a Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped a gray 2004 Chevrolet Impala for excessive speed on Highway 260 in front of the Zane Gray R.V. Park in Camp Verde.

Suspect allegedly hid drugs from deputies in his shoe and cell phone.

The driver was identified as 51-year-old Cottonwood resident Howard Bonstel, who had failed to immediately pull over and even traveled through a stop sign before finally deciding to yield.

During the stop, a YCSO narcotics K9 Deputy arrived on scene to assist and immediately alerted for the presence of drugs inside Bonstel’s vehicle.

While the deputy searched the vehicle for the source of the odor, another deputy conducted a search of Bonstel’s person and located a baggie containing 3.5 grams of methamphetamine protruding from one of Bonstel’s shoes. Bonstel claimed that someone else had placed the drugs in his shoe.

Bonstel was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and booked at the Camp Verde Jail. During booking, he changed his story and admitted to purchasing the drugs in Phoenix. Bonstel added that he had dropped off a passenger in the neighborhood just prior to the traffic stop that had also purchased methamphetamine in Phoenix.

Deputies also located a quantity of methamphetamine in the battery compartment of Bonstel’s cell phone. A total of 3.6 grams of methamphetamine was recovered with an estimated street value of $300.