CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Lucerne man was arrested last week after being found in possession of methamphetamine.

Ronnie Nolan Miller, 54, was arrested in the case, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 3:27 p.m. last Saturday, Aug. 17, a narcotics detection K9 unit noticed a vehicle displaying an expired registration tab pull into the Tower Mart in Clearlake Oaks. Brooks said the deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Miller.

The deputy asked Miller if he had a valid driver's license and Miller replied that his license was suspended for failing to pay some fines, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputy contacted Lake County Central Dispatch and asked them to run a records check on Miller.

As the deputy was waiting for the records check to be competed, he watched Miller drop a clear plastic bag on the ground. Brooks said the deputy seized the bag and noticed it contained a white crystalline substance, which he believed to be methamphetamine.

Miller admitted the methamphetamine was his and said he uses it to relieve pain, Brooks said. The deputy asked if he had anymore methamphetamine and Miller replied, “There could be another bag in the driver’s side door.”

Central Dispatch confirmed that Miller’s driver's license was in fact suspended, Brooks said.

The deputy deployed his narcotics detection K9, which produced a positive alert on the driver’s side door, indicating the presence of a controlled substance, according to Brooks.

Brooks said the deputy located another bag containing a white crystalline substance that looked exactly like the one Miller had dropped on the ground.

The deputy tested a small amount of the suspected methamphetamine from each of the bags separately, using a NIK kit. Brooks said each of the NIK kits flashed blue indicating a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Miller was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance and driving on a suspended license. He was transported the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

Bail was set at $250,000 on the transportation charge, and jail records indicated that Miller remained in custody early Friday.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.