LAKE HAVASU CITY — Astute police observation led to the arrests of two Apple Valley, California residents on drug and firearm charges in Lake Havasu City. Jeffery Prochazka, 35, and Adrian Viera, 40, were taken into custody on November 11.
A Lake Havasu City police report indicates an officer noticed suspicious behavior by the driver of a Mercedes in the parking lot of a Maverik convenience market on McCulloch Boulevard. The narrative indicates the patrol unit trailed the Mercedes looking for probable cause to conduct a traffic stop when it pulled away from the business.
The police report said the Mercedes turned left onto Nolina Ln and appeared to be speeding before it was parked and abandoned, partly blocking a residential driveway near the end of a cul-de-sac. Both men were detained after they were found hiding in brush along a nearby wash.
The report said a “tooter” straw used to ingest drugs was found on Prochazka, along with various denominations of cash totaling some $1,554. A subsequent search of the trunk of the Mercedes produced discovery of two zippered black bags.
“Inside these bags officers located a loaded semi-automatic firearm, multiple baggies containing multiple different types of drugs,” the report said. Though varying amounts of drugs were located in numerous baggies, over an ounce of methamphetamine and about a quarter ounce of suspected fentanyl powder was seized.
The 9 mm semi-automatic weapon was reportedly loaded with six rounds. A knife, digital scale, empty and clear baggies were also confiscated during the Mercedes search.
The report indicated incriminating drug transaction communications were located in the contents of the Prochazka’s cell phone. It said Viera made admissions about traveling from California to sell drugs in Lake Havasu.
Both defendants are charged with possession of dangerous drugs for sale, possession of narcotic drugs for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia. They also face charges for alleged prohibited possession of firearms in the commission of a drug offense.
