A North Platte woman who was being arrested for distributing drugs has racked up additional narcotics charges.

On January 2nd, officers with the North Platte Police Department responded to the Motel 6, in North Platte, to arrest Staci Ponte for distributing a controlled substance on December 22nd.

Officers located Ponte in her room, where she was living, and attempted to take her into custody.

Ponte indicated that she needed to use the restroom, a request which was honored by the officers who advised her not to flush the toilet when she was done, as they suspected she may attempt to flush drugs.

Police say Ponte appeared to be stalling in the restroom, when they heard her flush the toilet.  Officers told Ponte to finish her business and again ordered her not to flush the toilet.  However, Ponte ignored the order and flushed the toilet a second time.

Officers then placed Ponte into custody and noticed a small plastic baggie that had been torn open floating in the toilet.  Additionally, a search of Ponte’s person produced two small baggies which contained suspected meth in her jeans pocket.

A search warrant was then obtained for the room, and other items commonly used in the distribution of controlled substances were located.

Ponte then requested that her prescription medication be brought to the jail.

Upon arrival at the jail, officers checked the contents of the pill bottle and discovered Valium, a controlled substance which was not prescribed to Ponte and which differed from the label on the bottle.

In the end, Ponte was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver,  two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Destruction of Evidence.

Ponte was jailed at the Lincoln County Detention Center where she is being held without bond.