A routine patrol on Harding Boulevard turned into a full-blown narcotics case this week when a sharp-eyed Roseville officer spotted a vehicle linked to a person on probation and decided to take a closer look. That stop, police say, unraveled what they describe as a hotel-based drug sales operation, ending with two adults in handcuffs and a stash of methamphetamine, cash and equipment seized from a nearby room.
According to a Facebook post by the City of Roseville, California Police Department, investigators ultimately seized more than a half pound of methamphetamine from the hotel room, along with small plastic baggies, several digital scales and about $2,000 in cash. The post notes that a probation search of the vehicle first turned up roughly one ounce of meth and a hotel room key, which led officers to the room where they say the larger, prepackaged quantities were found. Police shared photos of the seized items and say the investigation is still active.
Probation Stop Led Officers to a Hotel Room
Officials say the whole thing started when a patrol officer recognized a vehicle belonging to someone on searchable probation and made contact after the car pulled into a business on Harding Boulevard. A probation search of the vehicle reportedly produced a small amount of meth and the hotel room key, which detectives quickly treated as a lead. Following up at the hotel, they say they discovered larger quantities of meth packaged for sale. Photos released by the department show scales and baggies that officers say are consistent with distribution rather than personal use.
Arrests and Charges
Police identified the two people arrested as 68-year-old Craig Hutchins and 63-year-old Carol Smith. According to the department, Hutchins was arrested on suspicion of transportation of methamphetamine for sale (Health & Safety Code §11379(a)), possession of methamphetamine for sale (H&S §11378), possession of marijuana for sale (H&S §11359(b)) and possession of drug paraphernalia (H&S §11364(a)). Smith was booked on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and marijuana for sale and of operating or maintaining a drug house (H&S §11366). Both were booked into the South Placer County jail, according to Placer County's South Placer Jail. The department also posted its full arrest summary on the City of Roseville, California Police Department Facebook page.
Legal Implications
Possession or transportation of methamphetamine for sale and maintaining a place for illegal drug sales are prosecuted as serious felonies under California law and can carry state prison sentences, depending on drug quantity and prior convictions. The state code sections cited by police include provisions detailed on California Legislative Information regarding possession for sale and on California Legislative Information regarding maintaining a drug house, which outline the potential penalties.
Roseville police have been using their Facebook page more frequently to spotlight arrests and evidence photos in recent months; arrest napping individual was one example of earlier coverage. The department is asking anyone with information about this latest case to contact Roseville police through their non-emergency line or anonymous tip channels.
