Fire call leads to drug charges

IOWA CITY - Police said they discovered marijuana in an Iowa City man's residence while responding to a fire.

According to criminal complaints, the Iowa City fire and police departments responded to 634 S. Lucas St. at 7:49 p.m. Jan. 4 for a report of a fire. Police said as crews were fighting the fire, they could see marijuana contraband in a bedroom from outside of the residence.

Police obtained a search warrant residence and served it after the fire was put out. Investigators located bags with marijuana residue, a scale, safes and other marijuana-related items in the residence police said.

The resident, 24-year-old Randy L. Murphy admitted to officers that he sold marijuana out of his home, police said.

Murphy was arrested this week and faces charges of controlled substance violation, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.