UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force on Friday in Upper Lake has resulted in three arrests, the seizure of methamphetamine and currency for asset forfeiture.
Last week, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for the person, home and vehicles of 46-year-old Melanie Lee Combs of Upper Lake, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
On Friday, April 8, at approximately 8:30 a.m., detectives served the search warrant at Combs’ home at the Meadow Point Trailer Park on Highway 20, Bauman said.
Bauman said that when narcotics detectives announced their presence at the front door, they received no response and had to force entry to serve the warrant.
Once inside the home, detectives encountered a locked bedroom door and again received no response when announcing their presence, Bauman said. When detectives forced entry into the bedroom, they located and detained Combs and 51-year-old Kevin Arthur Johnson, also of Upper Lake.
During a search of the bedroom, detectives located a small plastic food container concealed beneath the bed. Bauman said that inside of the container detectives found a total of 37 plastic baggies containing methamphetamine packaged for sales. A further search of the bedroom revealed digital scales, pipes, currency, marijuana and more methamphetamine concealed in a night stand.
Combs was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Bauman said Johnson was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
He said a total of 16 grams of methamphetamine was seized and $200 in currency was seized for asset forfeiture as the suspected profits of drug trafficking.
While detectives were searching Combs’ residence, another subject arrived at the home with the apparent intent to purchase narcotics, Bauman said.
He reported that 34-year-old Ira Jude Donelson of Upper Lake was detained and subsequently arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
All three suspects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Bail for Donelson, Combs and Johnson was set at $1,000, $10,000 and $3,000, respectively. Jail records indicated all three posted bail and were released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force anonymous tip line is 707-263-3663.
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