News briefs for Jan. 7, 2003

Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003 | 9:22 a.m.

Police uncover PCP, weapons

Metro Police arrested an ex-felon and recovered $500,000 worth of the drug PCP Monday afternoon after a tip from a Las Vegas apartment resident, police said.

A call brought Metro officers to the Sandpiper Apartments near Oakey and Decatur boulevards Monday afternoon, leading police to Ronald Tillman, 25.

Tilman and a woman identified as Tawana Wells were arrested and booked on charges of drug trafficking after officers found a cache of drugs and guns in an apartment, police said.

The apartment complex is near the IRS offices on West Oakey.

Officers said they discovered about three gallons of phencycylidine, commonly known as PCP or "angel dust." In addition to the PCP, more than three pounds of marijuana, rock cocaine and five weapons, including two AK-47 assault rifles were found.

The street value of the PCP was estimated at $500,000, police said.

As an ex-felon, Tilman could face a minimum of 20 years in prison, police said.

Contract extension sought by ATC

ATC, the transit management company that operates buses for Clark County's Citizens Area Transit could get a contract extension Thursday.

The company's contract expires in 2004. The contract extension proposed by the Regional Transportation Commission would extend the contract, worth about $50 million yearly, to January 2008.

The company would get annual contract increases of about 4.5 percent and would receive more money if the bus system expands -- which could happen if the Legislature approves a sales tax increase for transportation in Clark County.

BLM conducts grazing survey

The Bureau of Land Management conducted an aerial survey over the Northern Nevada ranching operation of two sisters in an ongoing dispute over grazing and tribal treaty rights.

The survey on Monday could lead to another bureau roundup of livestock owned by Mary and Carrie Dann, members of the Western Shoshone tribe who have been at odds with the federal agency for decades over use of the land they claim belongs to the tribe under a 140-year-old treaty.

The federal government disputes that claim and argues the horses and cattle are causing damage by overgrazing land to which other ranchers are entitled.

The bureau would not confirm that the survey was being done to prepare for a government roundup at the Danns' Crescent Valley ranch in rural Eureka County. But the aerial reconnaissance follows increased enforcement in recent months against what the agency considers illegal trespassing on public lands in Nevada.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev.,

has opened a satellite office in Pahrump, about 60 miles west of Las Vegas. The Pahrump office will be open every first and third Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is located in the Pahrump Senior Center, 1370 W. Basin St.