LAKE COUNTY ? As a result of the continuing efforts to battle the sales and distribution of illicit drugs in Lake County, proactive enforcement efforts in the field over the past week by the Sheriff”s Narcotics Task Force have resulted in two felony arrests, the seizure of more than 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine and the seizure of more than $2,000, the suspected profits of drug trafficking, according to Capt. James Bauman, Lake County Sheriff”s Office public information officer.
On Feb. 4, task force members stopped a white Nissan pick-up truck as it turned in to the Meadow Point Mobile Home Park in Upper Lake.
The driver, identified as Arturo Valenzuela, 30, of Santa Rosa was determined to have been driving on a suspended driver”s license and detained. During the detention, detectives noticed a large lump that appeared to be something concealed in his pants.
Valenzuela was searched incident to his arrest for driving on a suspended license. The object concealed in his pants was retrieved and found to be more than 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine wrapped in plastic, foil and toilet paper. Valenzuela told detectives he had brought the drugs from Santa Rosa and had planned to sell it to “friends” he had in Lake County. Nearly $500 was also retrieved from Valenzuela and seized for asset forfeiture proceedings as the suspected profit of narcotics sales. Valenzuela was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of possession for sales and transportation of a controlled substance as well as misdemeanor driving on a suspended license.
On Wednesday task force members observed Jane Corbett, 50, of Nice commit a traffic violation in her red Honda Accord on Soda Bay Road in South Lakeport. Detectives attempted a traffic stop on the Honda near Big Valley Road, but Corbett ignored their emergency lights and continued driving southbound on Soda Bay Road for a distance of about four miles. Corbett continued down Soda Bay Road at a moderate speed, still ignoring attempts to stop her and continually veering onto the shoulder of the road or crossing over double yellow lines. Detectives suspected Corbett”s failure to pull over and her erratic driving were both because of her attempts to conceal drugs or contraband before being stopped.
Corbett eventually pulled off of the roadway and stopped her car in a pear orchard on Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville. Her vehicle was searched incident to her arrest for obstructing a peace officer. Detectives located suspected methamphetamine, paraphernalia and other evidence of drug sales concealed in and around the center console of her car. Detectives also located two envelopes in the vehicle containing more than $1,600. The money was seized for asset forfeiture proceedings as the suspected profit of narcotics sales. Corbett was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of possession for sales and transportation of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, possession of narcotics paraphernalia and destroying or concealing evidence of a crime.
The Sheriff”s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize suspected profits from narcotics sales for asset forfeiture proceedings whenever possible. Anyone with information that can assist the task force with this endeavor is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.
