After arresting a Penn Valley man Friday on suspicion of using counterfeit bills, deputies were surprised to find 33 grams of methamphetamine stuffed down his pants, Nevada County sheriff's Lt. John Kropp said.

A cashier at a Penn Valley restaurant called the Sheriff's Office at 7:30 a.m. Friday to report receiving two counterfeit $20 bills from a man who ordered food and would be returning shortly to pick it up, Kropp said. When deputies arrived, the cashier pointed out Brice Anthony Peeler, 25, and deputies arrested him, Kropp said.

After Peeler was in custody, deputies searched him and found a third counterfeit $20 bill and 33 grams of meth in a pouch in his pants, Kropp said.

"Some of it was divided up," Kropp said.

Peeler was booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility on suspicion of passing counterfeit bills, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale.

Peeler is also on parole, so he being was held without bail on suspicion of violating his parole, Kropp said.

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To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail rmoormeister@theunion.com or call 477-4236.