EATON — A Preble County Sheriff’s deputy checking a local cemetery after hours led to the arrest of an Eaton resident on drug-related charges last week.

On Thursday, June 8, according to Sheriff Mike Simpson, a deputy was checking the Sugar Grove Cemetery on Ohio 503 north of West Alexandria when a vehicle occupied by two adults was located. During contact with the occupants, the deputy observed criminal indicators, Simpson said in a press release.

“The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Arko was deployed around the vehicle and alerted to the odor of narcotics,” Simpson reported. “A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted.”

According to Simpson, deputies located approximately 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine, as well as paraphernalia used for trafficking in narcotics, including baggies, a scale, smoking device, and a magnetic transport device.

Deputies arrested Brett D. Marker, 35, of Eaton. Marker was formally charged in Eaton Municipal Court with charges including aggravated possession of drugs, a second-degree felony; aggravated trafficking in drugs, a fourth-degree felony; illegal use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor and criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor.

Marker remained in the Preble County Jail at press time.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on Twitter @emowenjr.