NICE, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last week resulted in one arrest, and the seizure of approximately 3 ounces of methamphetamine along with prescription pills.
Bradley Steven Holt, 31, of Lakeport was arrested following the stop, which took place on the afternoon of Friday, April 4, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
On April 4 at 1:30 p.m. a narcotics detective was traveling eastbound on Lakeshore Boulevard, near the intersection of Stokes Drive in Nice, when he noticed a gray Hyundai sedan traveling towards him on Lakeshore Boulevard, according to Brooks.
The Hyundai crossed over the double yellow lines, into the detectives’ lane of traffic, and then traveled back into the appropriate lane, Brooks said.
As the vehicle passed, the detective positively identified the driver as Holt. Brooks said the narcotics detective was familiar with Holt due to prior contacts, and knew he was on felony probation with a search clause.
Narcotics detectives conducted an enforcement stop in the parking lot of the Sentry Market in Nice. When detectives contacted Holt and advised him of the reason for the stop, he became argumentative and refused to follow their directions, Brooks said.
Brooks said Holt refused to comply when detectives were conducting a search of his person, pursuant to the conditions of his probation.
As the detectives were talking to Holt, he exhibited signs of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. Holt denied using any stimulants and said “It’s been a year and eight months” since he last used, Brooks said. Narcotics detectives conducted a series of tests to determine if Holt was under the influence, which he failed.
During a search of Holt’s vehicle, detectives located a rubber medical glove behind the glove box, which was keeping the glove box from closing. Brooks said the glove appeared to contain something and was tied in a knot at the wrist portion of the glove.
Inside the glove detectives located a clear plastic bag containing a crystalline substance, which they recognized to be methamphetamine. Brooks said detectives located another plastic bag inside the glove which contained three additional bags, also containing methamphetamine and 12 Hydrocodone pills.
When Holt noticed that the narcotics detectives had located his methamphetamine and pills, he immediately denied ownership and began yelling, “Can someone call the cops?” Brooks said Holt became aggressive, refused to follow directions and accused the detectives of planting the drugs in his vehicle.
Holt was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic controlled substance, violating the terms and conditions of his probation, being under the influence of a controlled substance and obstructing/resisting a peace officer, Brooks said.
Brooks said Holt was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Holt is currently still in custody and being held without bail due to his probation violation.
The methamphetamine was later weighed and determined to have a gross weight of 88.3 grams or 3.1 ounces. The pills and an imprint of M367, and were identified as 10 milligram Hydrocodone pills, according to Brooks.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.