Local News in Brief : 3 Jail Visitors Arrested on Drug, Gun Charges

Three people visiting the Peter Pitchess Wayside Honor Rancho were arrested Sunday when they were found with two loaded guns, several knives and substantial quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine, authorities said.

Cynthia Strain, 37, Karen Dixon, 22, and William Couch, 40, all of Fresno, were arrested about 2 p.m. when the rented 1979 Chevrolet station wagon they were in was searched in the parking lot of the jail facility, said Sheriff’s Deputy Gabe Ramirez. Both vehicles and people bound for the jail are subject to random searches, Ramirez said.

Sheriff’s deputies seized a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol, a .410 gauge shotgun, six knives, a pound of cocaine, a large baggy of methamphetamine powder--commonly known as speed--a small quantity of marijuana and $21,858 in cash, Ramirez said.

Ramirez said it is rare for authorities to confiscate such a large amount of drugs and so many weapons.

“It’s not very common at all,” Ramirez said. “People just don’t tend to go on jail facilities with things like that.”

Strain had been standing on line waiting to enter the visitors’ reception area when she was arrested. Dixon and Couch were inside the car when arrested, Ramirez said.

All three were arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled substances, possession of cocaine for sale and possession of weapons on a jail facility, Ramirez said. They are being held in the jail at the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff’s substation in lieu of $20,000 bail apiece, the deputy said.