Traffic stop leads K-9 to large drug bust in Allegheny County

WILKINSBURG, Pa. — A traffic stop in Allegheny County early Thursday morning led to a large drug bust, police said.

A Wilkinsburg K-9 officer on routine patrol spotted a vehicle driving without headlights.

The officer ran the plate and there was a warrant out for the owner, authorities said

The officer stopped the car and his dog discovered a bag of drugs.

The K-9 officer, Titan, hit on a backpack in the back seat of the car.

“I did a sniff with my K-9 Titan which alerted on the back right passenger side,” said Officer Josh Stanga, Wilkinsburg police.

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After obtaining a search warrant, officers discovered more than $5,000 in cash, cell phones and a variety of illegal drugs.

“We found approximately 450 grams of crystal methamphetamines, assorted amount of psychedelic mushrooms, acid, and ecstasy pills. Unknown pills that we don’t know, we can’t identify at this moment, unknown white powders,” Stanga said.

Before searching the vehicle, police questined the driver, Aaron Amuso of McKees Rocks.

“He stated that he did have some marijuana stuff in there, and I said, ‘is there anything else illegal,’ which he replied, ‘I do have some illegal stuff,’” Stanga said.

Investigators say Amuso has already served time for drug charges, and was wanted on a parole violation.

Police also recovered thumb drives. Officers suspect those and the cell phones could provide even more leads.

“We will follow up on, execute more search warrants, and dig deeper into them,” said Stanga.

This is the largest bust K-9 Titan has ever made.

Amuso was taken to the Allegheny County Jail and Wilkinsburg police say they are considering the possibility of filing federal charges against him.

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