(STEUBEN COUNTY) - A drug investigation in rural Milgrove Township led to multiple arrests Sunday after surveillance, traffic stops and a search warrant.
Detectives with the Steuben County Sheriff's Office were watching a property on County Road 550 West when they saw a fugitive parolee get into a vehicle and hide in the back seat. Authorities say the man had cut off his ankle monitor.
Deputies later stopped the vehicle and arrested 35-year-old Dayton Penland of Fremont without incident.
The driver, 40-year-old Matthew Penland of Fremont, was also arrested on a preliminary charge of assisting a criminal and remains in the Steuben County Jail on a $2,500 bond. Investigators say suspected methamphetamine and marijuana were found in the vehicle.
That stop led detectives to seek a search warrant for the property the vehicle had left.
While applying for the warrant, deputies say 54-year-old Arthur Garcia Jr. left the home in another vehicle. Police stopped that vehicle and a K-9 search allegedly uncovered suspected drugs.
The driver, 50-year-old Christa Gilbert of Auburn, was arrested on charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and obstruction of justice. She later posted bond and was released.
Garcia was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine and remains in jail on an $8,000 bond.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at the residence, where detectives say they found suspected methamphetamine and other items related to drug dealing.
The investigation remains ongoing.