Mesquite Police arrest 6 after finding ‘dangerous drugs’ during traffic stop

December 20, 2018 Utah Channel 3

ST. GEORGE — A group of six individuals were arrested in Mesquite, Nevada, after police say “dangerous drugs” were found in the vehicle they were occupying during a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon.

According to a press release issued by Mesquite Police Department, an ongoing investigation regarding multiple people transporting and selling crystal methamphetamine throughout Mesquite was completed with the apprehension of the suspects during the traffic stop at approximately 2:30 p.m.

After taking the suspects into custody, police searched the individuals and the car. According to the Police Department’s press release, detectives found meth and drug paraphernalia on the suspects as well as inside the vehicle.

The charges for each suspect are as follows:

L-R: Michael Slusarski, Lance Gattis and Matthew Punzel bookings photos posted Dec. 18, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Mesquite Police Department, St. George News

Lance Gattis, 45, was charged with two felony counts of trafficking a controlled substance (meth) and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act.

Michael Slusarski, 50, of Mesquite, was arrested and charged with one felony count of sales a controlled substance (meth), three felony counts of trafficking a controlled substance (meth) and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act.

Matthew Punzel, 37, of Mesquite, was arrested and charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance (meth), one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one misdemeanor count of loitering for the purpose of engaging in drug-related activity.

L-R: Frank Madrid, Jennifer Weldon and Franchasca Wheeler bookings photos posted Dec. 18, 2018 | Photo courtesy of Mesquite Police Department, St. George News

The remaining three suspects were each arrested on one misdemeanor count of loitering for the purpose of engaging in drug-related activity and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. They are as follows:

Franchasca Wheeler, 43, of LaVerkin.
Frank Madrid, 36, of Leeds.
Jennifer Weldon, 38, of Mesquite.

The three suspects with felony charges were transported and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. The suspects with misdemeanor charges were booked into the Mesquite Detention Center.

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