North Bay Man Arrested for Meth Trafficking

NORTH BAY, CA -- Police investigating a man suspected of drug dealing in Napa say they found a large amount of methamphetamine in the suspect's vehicle, as well as a substantial amount of meth and marijuana at the house he'd been staying at.

In January, Napa Special Investigations Bureau officials opened an investigation into allegations that 53-year-old Napa transient Allen Welch was trafficking meth in Napa County.

On Feb. 7, investigators were conducting surveillance on a home in the 1500 block of Seminary Street where Welch was temporarily staying, when instigators saw Welch -- who does not have a driver's license -- drive away from the home.

After stopping Welch for traffic violations, detectives searched the vehicle and found 100 grams of methamphetamine and $3,400 in cash, which was seized as suspected drug proceeds, investigators
said.

Welch was arrested and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale and transportation.

Detectives also searched the home where Welch was staying and found methamphetamine and more than a pound of marijuana. Detectives say evidence suggests the marijuana was stolen in a burglary from a backyard grow operation in Napa.

NSIB detectives say they're also seeking to charge three people linked to the Seminary Street home. Charges are being sought against two female suspects on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and a male suspect on suspicion of possessing stolen property and violating probation.

Bay City News contributed to this report/Image via Shutterstock