Campbell police confiscate drugs after driver flees officers

Staff report

CAMPBELL

The driver of a blue Pontiac attempted to elude police about 9 p.m. Sunday, then finally came to an abrupt stop at a Lamar Avenue driveway. Police recovered drugs inside of the vehicle.

The front-seat passenger, Christopher Hill, 30, surrendered to police at gunpoint, and the driver, Jeffery Howell, 32, and the rear-seat passenger, Dasean Miller, 19, did so shortly afterward.

Police told Howell he was under arrest for fleeing and eluding officers, and Hill and Miller that they were being detained for investigatory purposes.

While handcuffing them, an officer noticed a bag of narcotics and a bag of suspected marijuana in plain view, reports say.

Police said they then searched the car, finding 3.3 grams of suspected marijuana, 9.2 grams of crack cocaine, and 8.5 grams of heroin. Detective Kevin Sferra estimated the combined street value of the seized narcotics at between $1,500 and $2,000.

Officers also found a package of Ziploc bags and a bottle of prescription liquid medicine with a small amount still in it.

Howell was cited for driving under suspension, trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs, along with failing to comply with police orders and neglecting to signal before turning. Hill and Miller were charged with trafficking in drugs, as well as possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.