CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A traffic stop in Clearlake last week led to one man's arrest, and the seizure of thousands of dollars' worth of methamphetamine and marijuana.
Eric Lee Nevarez, 36, of Finley was arrested as a result of the stop, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said that at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, narcotics detectives conducted a vehicle stop in the area of Highway 53 and 18th Avenue in Clearlake.
During the stop, they contacted Nevarez, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Brooks said detectives knew from previous contacts that Nevarez was on felony probation with a search clause.
As detectives were contacting Nevarez, he said “Whatever you find in there isn’t mine,” according to Brooks' report.
Detectives searched Nevarez and located a glass pipe in his pants pocket. The pipe was of the type commonly used to smoke methamphetamine, Brooks said.
He said the detectives also conducted a search of the vehicle where Nevarez was sitting. They located a plastic bag containing approximately 5 ounces of methamphetamine partially hidden in the seat where Nevarez was sitting and a plastic bag containing approximately two pounds of marijuana.
Nevarez admitted that the methamphetamine and marijuana belonged to him. He also said the other occupants of the vehicle did not know he had the illegal items in his possession, Brooks reported.
Nevarez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, sales of marijuana and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Jail records indicated he has since been released from custody.
Detectives weighed and tested the suspected methamphetamine using a NIK test. The test flashed blue indicating presumptive positive for methamphetamine and had an approximate weight of 149.4 grams, Brooks said.
He said detectives estimated the approximate street value of the methamphetamine to be $14,250. The bag of marijuana had an approximate weight of 1 pound, 12 ounces.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.