Investigators say they arrest main source of meth, cocaine and heroin to El Dorado County

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A two-month-long investigation into narcotics coming in to El Dorado County culminated with the arrests of one man and two women on February 11, 2020.

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) narcotics team executed a search warrant at a home in Los Banos, California. Their investigation had led them to the home where two people, 28-year-old Julio Chavez and 29-year-old Dennise Castro-Lopez, resided. EDSO says the Los Banos residents were the main source of supply of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin to El Dorado County.

During a search of the residence, detectives seized 10 pounds of heroin, 8.5 pounds of methamphetamine, 5 pounds of cocaine, a loaded firearm and $15,000 in cash. Additionally, it was found that the two were operating a meth conversion lab with a 12-year-old child residing in the residence.

A third suspect, 22-year-old Destaney Walker, was also arrested for transporting large quantities of narcotics.

In total, the estimated street value of the seized narcotics was $225,000.

All three suspects are currently in jail in Merced County. Chavez is held on 13 charges including a gang and terrorism enhancements. His bail is $2,750,000. Castro faces 12 charges including the same gang enhancements as Chavenz and has her bail set at $2,600,000. Walker faces four charges and has a bail of $1,150,000.

South Lake Tahoe resident Stuart Miller was arrested by the EDSO drug enforcement team on January 11, 2020, with 2.25 pounds of cocaine, methamphetamine, cash and heroin in his vehicle, and 100 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm in his Glorene Avenue home. At this time a possible connection between the arrests has not been released. Miller is at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville on a $1.5M bail hold. His next court date is scheduled in March.