Meth Bust Follows Highway K-9 Traffic Stop: Sonoma County Sheriff

PETALUMA, CA — A routine traffic stop for speeding turned into a narcotics investigation that led to the seizure of 10 pounds of methamphetamine and additional evidence during searches of two homes.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said the investigation began about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, when a patrol deputy assigned to the K-9 Unit spotted a speeding vehicle on Lakeville Highway in rural Petaluma and conducted a traffic stop.

Deputies identified the occupants as Felix Miller, 61, of Santa Rosa, and Jedediah Renda, 56, of Forestville. During the investigation, the deputy deployed Riggs, a dual-purpose police K-9 trained to detect narcotics.

Riggs alerted deputies to the presence of suspected narcotics inside the vehicle, prompting a search.

Deputies found about 10 pounds of methamphetamine inside the vehicle and arrested both men.

The Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit later served search warrants at the homes of Miller and Renda.

Detectives reported finding additional methamphetamine, a digital scale, packaging materials commonly associated with drug sales, and a firearm during the searches.

Miller and Renda were booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance for sale, and conspiracy.

Authorities said both men were later released on citations and ordered to appear in Sonoma County Superior Court at a later date.