Narcotics detectives make drug, warrant arrests; nearly 18 grams of meth seized during jail search

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A vehicle stop last week resulted in two arrests and the seizure of 17.7 grams of methamphetamine.

Detectives arrested 39-year-old Rafael Garcia of Los Angeles and Ashley Dawn Desano, 29, of Middletown, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Brooks said that at 6:20 p.m. Thursday, May 1, narcotics detectives were traveling northbound on Mission Rancheria Road near Lakeport when they observed a white sedan traveling in front of them and recognized the driver as being Garcia.

Detectives were familiar with Garcia due to his history of using and distributing methamphetamine, and Brooks said they did not believe he had a valid California Driver’s License.

Brooks said the detectives also noticed a female passenger in the front passenger seat who was not wearing a seatbelt.

Garcia drove into the Konocti Vista Casino parking lot and parked the vehicle. Brooks said Garcia and his passenger, who was later identified as Desano, exited the vehicle, at which time detectives contacted both subjects and asked to see Garcia’s driver’s license.

Garcia said he did not have a driver’s license, due to it being suspended for driving while under the influence. Brooks said Garcia also advised he may have an arrest warrant for missing a court date.

Due to Garcia’s history, detectives requested a K-9 unit with a narcotic detection canine respond to assist with the enforcement stop, Brooks said.

The deputy deployed his canine to the outside of Garcia’s vehicle, Brooks said. The canine provided a positive alert to both front doors and the trunk, indicating the odor of a controlled substance was present.

Brooks said the deputy deployed his canine inside the vehicle and she provided a positive alert to the area around both front seats. Detectives conducted a search of the vehicle and were unable to locate any illegal substances.

Central Dispatch conducted a records check of Garcia and advised he had two arrest warrants, one of which was a felony warrant with no bail. Central Dispatch also advised that Garcia’s vehicle registration had been expired since 2010, although the license plate was displaying a current 2014 registration tab, according to Brooks.

Garcia denied having any knowledge of the false tab or the fact that the vehicle’s registration was expired, Brooks said.

As the detectives were talking to Desano, they noticed she was exhibiting the signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Brooks said detectives conducted a series of tests to determine whether or not she was under the influence, which Desano failed.

Garcia was arrested for the two warrants and displaying false registration tabs on his vehicle. Desano was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, Brooks said.

Both subjects were advised that if they had any contraband on their person and knowingly brought it into a correctional facility, they would be charged with an additional felony. Brooks said Garcia and Desano were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

During the booking process both subjects were searched. Brooks said correctional staff discovered that Desano had concealed 17.7 grams of methamphetamine, which was seized.

Desano was also charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance inside a correctional facility, Brooks said.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.