By Jon Johnson
CLIFTON – An undercover operation led to the seizure of four ounces of methamphetamine and a plethora of drug paraphernalia from a Clifton residence, and led to multiple drug arrests, including for the sale of a dangerous drug.
The operation took place on August 14 and involved a joint task force comprising the Greenlee County Sheriff’s Office, Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, and Clifton Police Department.
According to Greenlee County Sheriff Eric Ellison, undercover agents had made meth purchases from the owner of the house, Blaine Clayton Young, 62. Those purchases led to a search warrant, which was executed at the house on Aug. 14.
During the search, authorities located four ounces of crystal methamphetamine along with “an excessive amount” of drug paraphernalia, according to Sheriff Ellison.
Young was arrested and booked into the Greenlee County Jail on drug and weapons charges. He is being held on a $100,000 bond.
On Aug. 25, Young was officially charged in Greenlee County Superior Court with possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a dangerous drug for sale, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.
During the search of the residence, alleged drug customers came by and were caught in the net as well.
“While the operation was in progress, three other people showed up to the house to purchase drugs,” Sheriff Ellison said. Those individuals, Crosby Madison, Miguel Medina, and Robert Mendoza, were found to have drug paraphernalia on them and were arrested and booked into the Greenlee County Jail.
Sheriff Ellison said this was just the first Domino to fall in the investigation and that additional drug dealers are soon to be arrested as well. The undercover operation continues.
“This is just the start of ongoing operations through Greenlee County,” Sheriff Ellison said.
