LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in two arrests, the seizure of 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine and the recovery of stolen property.
Arrested in the case were Richard James Mills, 40, of Kelseyville and Trenton Lee Newton, 25, of Lakeport, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks.
On Thursday, July 26, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Mills’ person, home and vehicle, Brooks said. Later that day at approximately 4:10 p.m., narcotics detectives located Mills driving his vehicle on Parallel Drive in Lakeport.
With the assistance of a patrol deputy, detectives conducted an enforcement stop on Mills’ vehicle on Highland Springs Road. Mills and his passenger, Newton, were detained without incident, according to Brooks.
During an interview with detectives, Newton admitted to having narcotics concealed in his groin area, Brooks said.
Newton removed a black case and a translucent capped plastic canister from the front of his jeans. Brooks said the containers contained eight baggies of prepackaged methamphetamine, which had a combined weight of approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine.
The containers also contained a digital scale, seven hypodermic needles, a glass pipe, two metal spoons coated with suspected methamphetamine and a sheet of paper with a list of pay/owes. Brooks said Mills admitted that the methamphetamine located on Newton belonged to him.
During a search of Mills’ vehicle, detectives located an iPad computer which was reported to be stolen, Brooks said. Detectives also located and seized $1,461 in US currency from Mills, which is pending asset forfeiture proceedings.
Mills was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, possession of hypodermic needles and for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Brooks said. Newton was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, under the influence of a controlled substance and concealing or destroying evidence.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.