Police find evidence of drug production inside car at Columbia park

Two Columbia men were arrested Thursday on suspicion of several drug-related charges after police found evidence of methamphetamine production inside a car at a Columbia park.

Officers were called to Jay Dix Station MKT Park on South Scott Boulevard just after 3 p.m. after reports of two people passed out inside a car in the parking lot.

CPD said officers found a large plastic bottle with a strong chemical smell, 13 Clonazepam pills, 16 Lorazepam pills and items related to methamphetamine production inside the car.

Police arrested Mark Saxon Gianoli, 35, and Howard Dean Nichols, 38, after searching the car. Officers also found a capped needle and two pipes on Gianoli, police said.

The Columbia Fire Department’s hazardous materials truck responded to help with clean-up. The park reopened at 6:15 p.m.

Gianoli was arrested on suspicion of distribution/delivery/manufacture/produce of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia as well as misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nichols was arrested on suspicion of distribution/delivery/manufacture/produce of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.