LAKEPORT, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted Thursday night by a Lake County Sheriff’s patrol deputy has resulted in three arrests and the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.
Daniel Gomez, 23, and Rafael Garza, 22, both of Los Angeles, and 52-year-old Benjamin Bruce Perry of Lakeport were arrested, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.
Brooks said that at 8:15 p.m. Thursday a deputy was on patrol in the area of Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport when he observed a vehicle traveling ahead of him cross over the marked center line into the oncoming lane, then drift back to the fog line on three occasions, Brooks said.
Based on the driving pattern the deputy conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle and contacted the driver, identified as Gomez, who Brooks said did not have a driver’s license. The deputy also contacted Garza and Perry, who were passengers in the vehicle.
When the deputy made contact with the occupants of the vehicle, he could smell the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, Brooks said. Gomez explained that he had a small amount of marijuana inside the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle the deputy located approximately two ounces of methamphetamine, approximately one gram of cocaine and 11.9 grams of marijuana. Brooks said a digital scale and packaging materials were also located inside the vehicle.
Gomez and Garza were arrested for possession of a controlled substance, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales and transportation and sales of cocaine. Perry was arrested for an outstanding warrant, Brooks said.
All three subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said. The vehicle involved was also towed.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.