Pair of drug offenders nabbed again

Two traffic stops in four days resulted in new drug arrests of drivers with previous drug convictions.

Small amounts of cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized by deputies Presley Mabe and Matt Regier after they stopped a 2021 Nissan Altima at 12:24 a.m. Tuesday on US-56/77 north of 360th Rd.

According to monitored transmissions, license plates indicated the driver was wanted in Junction City on traffic warrants and did not have a valid license.

Deputy Aaron Slater and his drug dog, Blue, were called.

After a search of the vehicle, Cameron D. Baker, 38, Junction City, was jailed on suspicion of possessing stimulants, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia and of failing to appear in court in Geary County, failing to have vehicle liability insurance, and driving while his license was canceled, suspended, or revoked.

He was released eight hours later on $1,000 surety bond.

Baker pleaded no contest Dec. 3, 2021, in Geary County to possessing stimulants and marijuana. A second count of possessing stimulants and single counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, transporting an open container of alcohol, and driving while his license was suspended were dismissed, and he was placed on probation for a year.

His probation was to have ended Tuesday.

Three days earlier, a small amount of THC wax and marijuana, suitable for personal use, reportedly were seized from a frequent drug offender after a silver 2008 Pontiac Torrent was stopped at 10:11 p.m. Saturday on Sunflower Rd. just south of 140th Rd.

According to monitored transmissions, deputy Landis Goodman learned after stopping the vehicle for speeding that the driver was wanted for failing to appear in court on an assault charge in Saline County.

After the driver was arrested, deputy Josh Meliza arrived with his drug-sniffing dog, Karma.

According to undersheriff Larry Starkey, probable cause was developed to search the Pontiac, drugs were discovered, and local charges were proposed in addition to those on which the driver was arrested.

Brady L. Blazek, 29, Marion, was jailed on suspicion of possessing marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana-derived cannabinoids and of failing to appear in court. He was released Monday after posting a $1,500 bond.

Blazek has an extensive record, having been jailed five times in Marion County for a total of 88 days between Dec. 22, 2018, and Dec. 18, 2020. That included time spent awaiting transfer to a state prison.

According to court records, Blazek pleaded guilty in 2020 to violating the state’s offender registration act and in 2019 to a reduced charge of distributing stimulants.

Additional charges of and to charges of possessing stimulants and drug-manufacturing paraphernalia, being a felon in possession of a weapon and possessing drug paraphernalia were dismissed.

In Great Bend, Blazek pleaded guilty in 2018 to reduced charges of distributing marijuana, child endangerment, and possessing drug paraphernalia. Original charges specified aggravated child endangerment and distributing drugs near a school.