Three arrested in Valentine for possessing meth, drug paraphernalia

VALENTINE, Neb. – Three South Dakota residents are facing drug charges after Valentine Police say a traffic stop led to the discovery of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

According to the Valentine Police Department, an officer pulled over a vehicle around 8 p.m. on Jan. 29. A 37-year-old woman and two men, ages 29 and 43, were arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just one day earlier, on Jan. 28, the Cherry County Sheriff's Office said a traffic stop along Highway 20 led to the seizure of more than six pounds of methamphetamine. The sheriff’s office estimates the meth has a street value of $30,000 to $35,000.

The latest Nebraska Drug Threat Assessment by the National Drug Intelligence Center identifies meth as a major threat to the state, citing its widespread availability and the serious physical and environmental dangers linked to its use and production.

“Law enforcement agencies throughout the state report that the level of methamphetamine availability in their jurisdictions is high. Many also reported the presence of methamphetamine laboratories in their areas, as well as an adverse environmental impact from the laboratories. Methamphetamine produced by Mexican criminal groups in Mexico, California, and southwestern states is the predominant type available in Nebraska. Methamphetamine produced in the state is also available, and seizures of small-scale methamphetamine laboratories have increased,” the report reads.

In the Valentine Police Department’s weekly report, police also noted the arrest of a 64-year-old Nebraska man for driving under the influence of alcohol, also on Jan. 29.

During the past week, Valentine officers responded to 51 calls for service, including:

• 14 traffic stops
• 2 reports of suspicious persons or vehicles
• 3 welfare checks
• 2 thefts
• 1 non-injury accident