Police: Rexburg man swallows meth during arrest

Police say an eastern Idaho man swallowed a small bag of methamphetamine while struggling with officers during a traffic stop in Boise.

According to police, 33-year-old Michael K. Nugent of Rexburg was pulled over around 1 a.m. on Tuesday and was being placed under arrest for driving without privileges when officers reported finding the baggie of meth in his possession.

Police say Nugent managed to swallow the bag, which contained about 1 to 2 grams of meth, even as officers tried to prevent him from ingesting the drugs. Nugent was then taken to a hospital, where authorities say the meth was retrieved and collected as evidence.

Nugent remained jailed Wednesday in Ada County, where he faces charges including felony drug possession and destruction of evidence.