SODA BAY — The service of a search warrant by the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Narcotics Task Force Wednesday resulted in two felony arrests and the seizure of approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and more than $2,000 for asset forfeiture.
Narcotics detectives secured a search warrant on Oct. 12 for the person, home and vehicles of Ashley Nicole Saxon, 26, of Kelseyville.
On Wednesday at around noon, detectives spotted Saxon riding as a passenger in a white Chevrolet coupe being driven by her boyfriend, 46-year-old Manuel Vincent Sotelo, near their home in Soda Bay. Sotelo was on felony probation and active parole for a prior narcotics conviction.
Detectives conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle on Bergesen Drive and detained both Saxon and Sotelo without incident.
Authorities claim that Saxon attempted to dispose of a small bag of methamphetamine and that a subsequent search of her person revealed a concealed meth pipe beneath her clothing.
Narcotics detectives transported Saxon and Sotelo to their Cypress Avenue home and executed the search warrant.
The couple reportedly had a video surveillance system monitoring the front of the home and when detectives entered the house, they found a police scanner actively monitoring the LCSO”s primary radio frequency.
During a search of the master bedroom, detectives reportedly found a hidden zippered case, which contained approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and other narcotics sales paraphernalia. Two digital scales were also found concealed in a nightstand in the same bedroom.
Law enforcement seized $2,201 in U.S. currency from Saxon and Sotelo collectively, as the suspected profits of drug trafficking, the LCSO said.
Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Saxon was booked for possession of a controlled substance for sales, transportation of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.
Sotelo was booked for possession of a controlled substance for sales, violation of his probation, violation of his parole and driving on a suspended license.
The LCSO Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize the suspected profits of drug trafficking for asset forfeiture whenever possible.
Anyone with information that can assist the task force can call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663.
