Edina Man Busted for Alleged Cocaine Possession During Traffic Stop

An Edina man has been charged in Dakota County with cocaine possession, and with obstructing the legal process when police tried to arrest him.

Blakely James Wahoske, 38, is charged with fifth-degree drug possession, a felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He is also charged with two misdemeanors: failure to produce proof of insurance and obstructing the legal process, each of which has a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, a West St. Paul police reserve officer clocked Wahoske’s vehicle at 42 mph in a 35 mph zone on Robert Street just after 10 p.m. Sept. 26.

An officer stopped Wahoske’s car at Robert and Arion streets, approached and asked Wahoske for his driver’s license and proof of insurance, which he was unable to produce, according to the complaint.

While he was talking to Wahoske, the officer noticed an odor of alcohol and noted that his eyes were bloodshot and watery, the complaint says. Wahoske admitted that he had drunk one beer earlier.

The officer asked Wahoske to step out of the car and perform field sobriety tests, and Wahoske refused, according to the complaint. The officer told Wahoske he was under arrest and told him to turn off the car, which he also refused to do, the complaint charges.

The officer finally opened the driver’s door and told Wahoske to leave everything inside the vehicle, at which point Wahoske reached down with his right hand, opened a compartment in the center console and put something inside, according to the complaint. Wahoske then unbuckled his seat belt and stepped out of the car.

In a subsequent search of Wahoske’s car, police found two small plastic bags containing a white powdery substance, which later tested positive for cocaine. The total amount of cocaine found in Wahoske’s car was 1.04 grams, according to the complaint.

Wahoske has been released from custody pending future court appearances.

Like Edina Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our daily newsletter