Two arrested at ‘out of control’ drug house
99, when officers with the California Highway Patrol, the Yuba City Police Department and NET-5 (drug task force) served a search warrant and found the drugs, along with paraphernalia indicative of sales and about 280 syringes.
CHP led the investigation after Officer Duane Nokes received information about the house.
The Hedricks were arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of heroin for sale, maintaining a drug house, possession of paraphernalia and child endangerment. Bail for each was set at $50,000.
The girl was taken by Child Protective Services.
“She actually thanked me for coming and doing my job. That struck me as odd,” Nokes said after the bust. “It’s not often a kid thanks you when their parents are going to jail. That’s when you know someone needs help.”
Neighbors expressed relief. For the last six months, traffic has been constant, day and night. Many suspected Jana was selling heroin, and a few – who spoke on condition of anonymity – said they’ve called police regularly for at least two months. One woman said she no longer allows her young children to play outside because of the situation.
Two suspected buyers were at the house when officers arrived Thursday morning – Eric Brown, 32, was cited and released for possession of methamphet- amine and heroin. Amanda Driggers, 29, was arrested on a warrant.
Handcuffed and waiting to be taken to jail, Karl Hedrick said it’s been going on since about June. He said he was clean for a long time, until he became addicted to pain pills he was prescribed for back pain.
It’s not uncommon to hear stories of the use of prescription drugs turning to heroin addiction – Nokes said officers are seeing an increase of heroin on the streets, and it’s now as cheap as meth.
“If you’re an addict and you’re prescribed four pills, you take six to eight,” Hedrick said.
Ending the pill addiction is a struggle.
“Every time I stopped – tried to get off – I got sick. I hated it,” he said.
Like a “dummy” he said, he started using methamphetamine to kick his pill habit.
He shot up heroin a few times, too, which landed him in the emergency room within the last month or two.
“After shooting up, within 30 or 40 feet of walking, I was losing it. I felt like I was going to pass out. I couldn’t walk. Somebody helped me into a vehicle and buckled it. That’s the last thing I remember before waking up in an ambulance.”
He said he is actively seeking help.
“I have to get clean. I have to. It’s not even an option.”
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