The good and swift work of the Columbus Police Department has resulted in two arrests and a large number of drugs getting off the streets.
A search warrant executed about 11:48 a.m. on July 16, 2023, at Sleep Inn, 303 23rd St., resulted in officers recovering more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine, 200 pills of suspected fentanyl, drug paraphilia and various prescription drugs, along with a firearm.
CPD officers responded to the hotel on an anonymous tip of a wanted person (Brittney N. Valdez-Wages) staying in a room rented by Brandon Hutchinson, according to Columbus Police Capt. Doug Molczyk. The tipster also indicated that there was a large number of controlled substances in the hotel room.
Officers were able to confirm that Brandon Hutchinson was renting room 216 at Sleep Inn. Officers were then able to confirm that Brandon Hutchinson and Brittney N. Valdez-Wages arrived together, went into the room 216 together and had not departed, the captain noted.
CPD officers made contact with Hutchinson and Valdez-Wages in room 216. Brittney N. Valdez-Wages was arrested on a warrant.
During the course of this investigation, officers developed enough information for a search warrant for room 216 at the hotel.
Hutchinson and Valdez-Wages were both arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance. Brandon Hutchinson was also arrested for Possession of a Firearm while committing a Felony. Both were transported to the Platte County Detention Facility and were being held there.
“This was good investigative work by our K-9 team and all the officers involved,” Molczyk said.