| Local law enforcement authorities log the evidence collected during an investigation into an alleged drug distribution incident on Nov. 26. Local law enforcement personnel executed a warrant at a private residence on Carbonville Road last Tuesday and discovered nine grams of suspected meth along with apparent drug paraphernalia inside the house. The officers also found significant amounts of cash in the possession of several suspects arrested in connection with the incident. The arrests culminated days of work and surveillance by law enforcement agencies in the county. |
For individuals suspected of using, distributing or manufacturing methamphetamine, Carbon County is becoming an unfriendly place.
Proof of the situation came last Tuesday morning when Carbon Deputy Rick Anderson and Price Police Officer Brandon Sicilia along with other law enforcement personnel served a court-issued warrant at 1999 North Carbonville Road.
The authorities executing the warrant at the residence discovered several individuals who were purportedly involved in the possession and sale of methamphetamine.
“This was an ongoing operation that included a lot of surveillance and a number of days to get to the point where we could move in,” indicated Carbon County Sheriff James Cordova.
“It was another example of the law enforcement agencies in the area cooperating to bring about a positive result,” continued the sheriff.
Beginning with serving the warrant at 11:06 a.m. on Nov. 26 and continuing throughout the day, the investigating law enforcement officers arrested eight suspects allegedly involved in the illicit drug activities.
Taken in to custody were Cathy R. Stevenson, 47, and Duane Stevenson, 50, of Carbonville. Also arrested during the initial law enforcement operation were Patrick Martak, 31 of Carbonville, and April Luke, 29, residence unknown.
Later in the day as the local law enforcement operation continued, criminal investigators arrested 55-year-old Robert Perry, 31-year-old Jess Drumm and 41-year-old Shelly McCullough on various drug charges at the private residence on Carbonville Road.
Another individual, 30-year-old James Jones, address unknown, was arrested on an outstanding court-issued warrant and 21-year-old Jennifer McCullough was cited for the unlawful possession/use of drug paraphernalia.
When law enforcement personnel entered the residence with the warrant, the officers discovered nine grams of suspected meth, purportedly ready for distribution.
The criminal investigators also found with various suspected drug paraphernalia items spread around the home.
The criminal investigation into last Tuesday”s incident involved 13 local law enforcement officers.
Participating in the law enforcement effort were representatives from the county sheriff”s office – including critical emergency response team members, the Price City Police Department, the Helper City Police Department and the Carbon Metro Drug Task Force.
In addition to the suspected meth and drug paraphernalia, the investigators discovered significant amounts of cash on the suspects initially arrested at the scene and the individuals taken into custody later.
For instance, Ms. Stevenson had $585 in cash on her person and Martak had $400 in cash along with $150 in unredeemed personal checks in his possession.
The Stevensons, Martak and Luke were booked into the Carbon County Jail on possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and unlawful possession/use of drug paraphernalia offenses.
“The charges are enhanced by the fact the operation was in a drug free zone,” said Cordova. “The playground at the Thomas Trailer Court is within the bounds of that zone from the residence.”
The other suspects were arrested or cited on various drug-related charges in connection with the incident, indicated the sheriff. Drumm, for instance, was taken into custody for alleged unlawful possession/use of marijuana in a drug-free zone.
No signs of a clandestine drug laboratory were found at the private residence by the law enforcement personnel conducting the investigation at the site, concluded the sheriff.