In unrelated cases, two Chaffee County women were arrested November 9^th on charges of illegal possession of drugs.

In the first case, in late August Deputy Ben Adair stopped a sedan on US Hwy 50 in Salida for a minor traffic violation.  Inside were three people, two of whom exhibited symptoms of drug abuse.  Questioning of the two led deputies to obtain a search warrant for a residence in the 600 block of Nichols Street in Salida.  Seized as a result of that search were items of drug paraphernalia, marijuana, a quantity of unlabeled prescription medications, and suspected psilocybin mushrooms.

No arrests were immediately made, but after an analysis of the evidence an arrest warrant was obtained for Michelle Swanson, 42, of 10600 US Hwy 50, Poncha Springs.  She faces charges of: Unlawful possession of a schedule 1 substance, a class six felony; Unlawful possession of a schedule 2 substance, a class six felony; Unlawful possession of a schedule 4 substance, a class one misdemeanor; Possession of drug paraphernalia, a class two petty offense; and Possession of less than two ounces of marijuana, a class two petty offense.  Ms. Swanson was arrested and later released on $2,000 bond.

In the second case, initiated on November 1, Deputy Ben Adair stopped a car on US Hwy 24 in Buena Vista for a routine traffic violation.  During his contact with the driver, Deputy Adair noticed indications of drug use by the driver and requested that she perform a series of roadside movements.  After her unsuccessful performance of the tasks, the driver, a Buena Vista resident, age 49, was taken into custody for driving under the influence of drugs.  A search of her car turned up a quantity of prescription medications, methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia, and five hundred dollars in cash.  She was released pending a formal filing of charges.

Information derived from the contact with the vehicle’s driver led deputies to obtain a search warrant early the following day for part of a residential building at 403 West Main Street, Buena Vista, the home of Deanna Garnett, 41.  Recovered during the search were several paraphernalia items, marijuana, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, and various unlabeled containers of prescription drugs.  All items were seized as evidence.

After an analysis of the evidence, an arrest warrant was obtained and on November 9, Ms. Garnett was arrested on several charges:  Unlawful distribution of a schedule 2 substance, a class three felony; Unlawful possession of a schedule 1 substance, a class six felony; Unlawful possession of a schedule 4 substance, a class one misdemeanor; and Possession of drug paraphernalia, a class two petty offense.  She was jailed and later released on $15,000 bond.

Investigation into related criminal activity involving illegal drugs is continuing.