BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

TOMAHAWK — A 44-year-old Tomahawk man was arrested after authorities discovered suspected crystal methamphetamine and multiple bags of marijuana inside a camper at Fields Trailer Court.

Paul Mullins faces charges of first-degree possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of marijuana, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Department.

“I had been getting a lot of complaints about a camper in Fields Trailer Park that was getting heavy traffic — people coming in on four-wheelers, coming all hours of the day and night,” Sheriff John Kirk said in an interview. “We started doing some surveillance, seeing who was coming and going.”

After receiving another complaint, Sheriff Kirk and Chief Deputy Chris Kidd went to the trailer park to investigate March 12. Kirk said they arrived to find the camper door open and a man and woman inside.

“You could smell marijuana as soon as you got to the door,” Kirk said. “We asked them to come out and talk with us, and Deputy Kidd was granted permission to search the camper.”

Inside, Kidd recovered several bags of what appeared to be marijuana and a bag containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine, the sheriff said.

While on the scene, neighbors voiced their concerns to law enforcement, particularly about the safety of children playing nearby.

“It’s in every community,” Kirk said. “There’s drug dealing going on somewhere, and at any time, a drug deal can go bad.”

Kirk said those inside the camper denied any drug sales, but he hopes the arrest sends a message.

“There aren’t enough law enforcement officers to go around to do the job,” he said. “So hopefully the people will be vigilant, pay attention to their surroundings, and if they see anything, report it to us — be our eyes and ears and help us with this.”