Police dog sniffs out drugs on passenger during traffic stop in Wauconda

The passenger of a vehicle stopped by Wauconda police Saturday afternoon is facing drug charges after a police dog indicated the presence of narcotics.

Joseph Nava, 32, of Mundelein, was ordered held in the Lake County jail following a detention hearing Sunday. He is charged with multiple counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Wauconda police officials said Nava was the passenger in a vehicle pulled over by a patrol officer at about 4:20 p.m. Saturday on the 900 block of North Old Rand Road.

The driver was cited for driving on a suspended license. Officers also deployed a police dog, Skye, to conduct a “sniff and search” and indicated the presence of narcotics on the passenger side. Nava was searched and officers found 29.3 grams of cocaine, police officials said.

Jail records show Nava has a lengthy criminal history in Lake County, including arrests for aggravated assault of a police officer, criminal trespassing to vehicles, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and domestic battery.

His next court date is unknown.