Two jailed on drug charges

PONDERAY — Two men were arrested on felony drug charges after a search of their vehicle turned up more than 13 grams of methamphetamine, $1,100 in cash and a double-barreled pistol early Friday morning.

Paul Leslie Spencer, 53, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Thomas Wade Callen, 44, is charged with possession of meth and marijuana. Both are rural Bonner County residents.

Spencer's bail was set at $30,000 on Friday, while Callen's was set at $20,300, according to court records. A public defender was appointed to represent Callen, while Spencer told Judge Debra Heise he intends to seek private counsel, court records show.

The two were arrested by a Bonner County Sheriff's deputy whose suspicion was initially aroused when they seemed to go out of their way to avoid any sort of eye contact while sitting in a parked car at the Schweitzer Sand Creek Conoco on U.S. Highway 95, according to the arrest report.

A search of the vehicle turned up intravenous drug paraphernalia, some of which was in plain sight. Approximately 12 grams of meth was found in the trunk along with an unloaded pistol and .45-caliber ammunition, the report said. A bag containing 1.3 grams of meth and some marijuana was found underneath the passenger seat, where Callen was sitting.

The cash, $1,153, was found in Spencer's pocket, the report said.