The Carson City Special Enforcement Team made a significant drug bust Thursday night that resulted in three arrests, 2.6 pounds of methamphetamine valued at around $67,000 seized, along with around $3,600 in cash, night vision goggles and a gun silencer.
Steven Ray Gillim, 57, of Carson City faces multiple felony charges including trafficking level 3 narcotics, conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substance Act, possession of drugs for sale; possession of controlled substance (heroin) possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of of a dangerous weapon (brass knuckles), possession of a gun silencer, improper turn at intersection, violation of his bail conditions. A bail amount of $250,000 has been set.
The other two arrested are Eric Weber, 41, Carson City who faces charges of trafficking level 3 narcotics and conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substance Act and Melinda Paetz, 45, Carson City, who faces charges of level 3 control substance trafficking, conspiracy to violate Controlled Substance Act, and violation of misdemeanor violation of a suspended sentence.
"Working in Carson City and leading the SET team I have not seen this much methamphetamine in one spot," said Special Enforcement Team Sgt. Brian Humphrey who made the arrest. "This is a significant amount of methamphetamine to find in Carson City and will make a significant dent in the local drug trade at the moment."
Humphrey observed the 4Runner on Carson Street make an improper turn that resulted in a traffic stop in the 1800 block of North Carson Street at around 8 p.m.
Gillim, who has been jailed recently and is on Alternative Sentencing for past criminal activity, was run through a records check and the Department of Alternative Sentencing was contacted. Officer Justin Ryba initiated a search of Gillim, in which about 2.8 grams of heroin was found in his possession.
As a court procedure and the fact that Gillim was in violation of pre-trial conditions for the heroin, Alternative Sentencing permitted a search by the Carson City Sheriff's Office of the 4Runner. The search commenced by Deputy Jeff Pullen and K9 Rex in which the dog made multiple "alerts" throughout the vehicle. An "alert" in when the dog sniffs out drugs. A black bag was recovered and inside the bag was the methamphetamine and money.
The arrests of Gillim, Weber and Paetz was part of a collaborative effort between the Carson City Sheriff's Office Special Enforcement Team, Tri-Net and the Department of Alternative Sentencing. Sheriff Ken Furlong noted the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation in which multiple, and in some cases violent crimes, have been associated with Gillim.
"We believe tonight will probably have a positive affect on achieving a successful end of an ongoing investigation," said Sheriff Furlong.