LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted Wednesday evening by a Sheriff’s K9 Unit, has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of marijuana.
Jeff Gabriel Hughes, 44, of Laytonville was arrested for the possession of marijuana for sales, sales of marijuana and the transportation of marijuana, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
On Wednesday at 5:10 p.m. a sheriff’s k9 unit was actively patrolling in the area of Clearlake Oaks when the deputy noticed a vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 20 that crossed over the double yellow lines into the oncoming lane of traffic, Brooks said.
Brooks said the deputy conducted an enforcement stop in the area of Highway 20 and New Long Valley Road and contacted Hughes, the driver, and explained the reason why he was stopped.
As the deputy was talking to Hughes, he smelled the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Hughes told the deputy he had a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle, which was for his personal use, Brooks said.
The deputy deployed his K9 partner to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. As the dog approached the trunk of the vehicle she produced a positive alert, indicating there was the odor of a controlled substance present, according to Brooks.
Brooks said the deputy had Hughes step out of the vehicle and informed him about the K9 alerting to his vehicle. When he told Hughes that he would be searching his vehicle, Hughes immediately admitted to having 5 pounds of processed marijuana.
Deputies searched the vehicle and located five bags of processed marijuana that were seized as evidence. Brooks said deputies also located $802, which was also seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.
Hughes told the deputy he was on his way to Lake Tahoe to sell the marijuana. He said he was going to get $1,500 for each bag, Brooks said.
Hughes was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Bail was set at $20,000, with jail records indicating Hughes remained in custody Thursday evening.
Brooks said the five bags of processed marijuana weighed a total 5.19 pounds.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.