Arrested were Diana Elliott, 35; Orval Elliott, 48; and Vernon Abella, 51, according to California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control Special Agent in Charge Alan Hatano.
In June the specially commissioned Bureau of Indian Affairs officers employed by the Hopland Police Department requested assistance from the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control, according to a report from Hatano and Hopland Police Chief Brett Rhodes.
The two agencies reported working together to conduct surveillance at Hopland Sho-Ka-Wah Casino, where they identified drug dealers selling methamphetamine at the casino.
During July, August and September, an undercover Bureau of Gambling Control agent purchased methamphetamine from the suspected drug dealers on the casino property. Hopland Police and the state agents conducted surveillance during the transactions and identified a possible source of supply.
On Tuesday, the agents and officers – assisted by the Mendocino Major Crimes Task Force – arrested the suspects and executed two search warrants at 3401 Shanel Road and 3406 Shanel Road, both located on tribal property in Hopland California.
The agencies reported that the search warrants resulted in the seizure of additional items of evidence indicating drug sales; however they did not locate any additional methamphetamine.
Diana Elliott was arrested at the casino after she attempted to deliver a small quantity of methamphetamine to the undercover state agent. Officials said she also was arrested for her involvement in several prior sales of methamphetamine to the undercover agent.
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Orval Elliott was arrested while walking to the casino for one previous sale of methamphetamine to the undercover agent and for conspiracy.
Vernon Abella also was arrested while walking to the casino on charges of two previous sales of methamphetamine to the undercover agent and conspiracy.
All three suspects were booked into the Mendocino County Jail.
Bureau of Gambling Control agents will conduct further investigation to identify any additional suspects, Hatano reported.
Prior to this case, Hatano said the agency's most recent investigation at the casino was a fraud case over the summer that resulted in several arrests, as Lake County News has reported.
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