Full Notification

Public Information Release
April 19, 2013
Lieutenant Steve Brooks, Public Information Officer


A vehicle stop conducted Friday night by a Lake County Sheriff’s Patrol Deputy, has resulted in three arrests and the seizure of cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

On April 18, 2013 at approximately 8:15 pm, a deputy was on patrol in the area of Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport. 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. Based on the driving pattern the deputy conducted an enforcement stop on the vehicle. The deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle, 23 year old Daniel Gomez of Los Angeles, who did not have a driver license. He also contacted 22 year old Rafael Garza of Los Angeles and 52 year old Benjamin Bruce Perry of Lakeport, 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 emitting from inside the vehicle. 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. 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. All three subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. The vehicle involved was also towed.

The Sheriff’s 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 the asset forfeiture whenever possible. Anyone with information that can assist the Task Force with this effort is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 263-3663