Two people arrested in Columbus hotel for drugs

COLUMBUS, Neb. -- Authorities in Columbus arrested two people for a large number of drugs on July 16. 

The Columbus Police Department said they arrested Brittney Valdez-Wages and Brandon Hutchinson after executing a search warrant.

On July 16 around 11:48 a.m. at Sleep Inn, CPD officers said they found more than three pounds of methamphetamine, 200 pills of suspected fentanyl, drug paraphernalia and various prescription drugs, as well as a gun. 

CPD said they were responding to an anonymous tip of a wanted person, Valdez-Wages, staying in a room rented by Hutchinson.

CPD Capt. Doug Molczyk said the tipster also indicated that there was a large number of controlled substances in the hotel room. 

Officials said they were able to confirm that Hutchinson was renting a room at Sleep Inn. 

Molczyk said officers were also able to confirm that Hutchinson and Valdez-Wages arrived together and went into the room together, and they had not left. 

CPD said they made contact with the two in the room, and arrested Valdez-Wages on a warrant. 

According to Molczyk, during the investigation officers got enough information to get a search warrant for the room at the hotel. 

Hutchinson and Valdez-Wages were both arrested for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance. 

Hutchinson was also arrested for possession of a firearm while committing a felony. 

Both were taken to the Platte County Detention Facility for holding.