NICE, Calif. – A Sunday morning vehicle stop has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of LSD, processed marijuana, concentrated cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms.
Kevin Lord Dirksen, 30, of Santa Maria was arrested following the stop, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 10:30 a.m. Sunday a patrol deputy was traveling westbound on Highway 20 in Nice when he noticed a vehicle traveling in front of him which had a broken tail light, Brooks said.
The deputy also noticed the vehicle was dragging a dog leash, which was attached to the passenger door. Brooks said the deputy then conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle on Highway 20 near Pyle Road outside of Nice.
The deputy contacted the driver, who was identified as Dirksen, who told the deputy that he did not have a driver’s license because it was expired and previously suspended, Brooks said.
Brooks reported that the deputy asked Dirksen if he had anything illegal in the vehicle and Dirksen said he had approximately 8 ounces of marijuana in a backpack.
Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Dirksen and advised he was on searchable probation out of San Luis Obispo County for sales of a controlled substance, said Brooks. The deputy also was advised that Dirksen’s driver’s license was suspended for a failure to appear in court.
Brooks said the deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and located 10.3 ounces of marijuana, 12.3 ounces of hashish, 6.1 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms and 800 dosage units of LSD.
Dirksen told the deputy that he is a sound technician and grows medicinal marijuana for patients. He denied selling the marijuana and explained that he barters with it. Brooks said Dirksen went on to say that he would trade one of the “pucks” of hash for an ounce of processed marijuana.
He denied making the hash and said he obtained it from a friend. Brooks said Dirksen also denied having any knowledge of the LSD or the psilocybin mushrooms and said he had borrowed the vehicle from a friend.
Brooks said Dirksen was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of more than one ounce of marijuana and for driving while his license is suspended.
He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. On Monday he remained in custody, with bail set at $35,000.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.