10 arrested in major Northern Nevada drug bust

A major drug operation east of Carson City was brought down late Tuesday with 10 arrests, two being juveniles, the Nevada Department of Public Safety reports.

The bust happened at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and involved multiple law enforcement agencies that resulted in the execution of four search warrants and 10 arrests and the confiscation of 1502 grams of drugs, including more than three pounds of methamphetamine.

According to a DPS spokesperson, the search warrants were executed on two homes in Lyon County and two residences in Carson City. The warrants brought in the seizure of over three pounds of methamphetamine from Phillip Sharpe pursuant to a vehicle stop on Highway 50 in Dayton.

Coordinating the investigation is the DPS — Tri-NET Narcotics Task Force. The Task Force is supervised by DPS and comprised of officers from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Carson City Sheriff’s Department, Lyon County Sheriff’s Department, Reno Drug Enforcement Administration and Nevada National Guard’s — Counter Drug Operations.

Also assisting in the operations were officers from the North Central Narcotics Drug Task Force (DPS, Churchill County Sheriff’s Department and the Fallon Police Department) and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Department.

The criminal investigation began six months ago and has identified a multi-national Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) with confirmed direct connections to Mexico. The Drug Trafficking Organization is responsible for distribution of Controlled Substances (Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Cocaine) in northwest Nevada, with primary sales in Carson City, Fallon, Dayton, Virginia City and Silver Springs.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 1502 grams (3 pounds 5 ounces) of: Methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $250,000; 112 grams (4 ounces) of cocaine with an estimated street value of $4,000; 29.2 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $250 and cash totaling $12,700.

In addition, four vehicles, two motorcycles and 2 guns were seized.

The typical user consumes approximately 1/10th of a gram at a time. As a result, the methamphetamine seized would represent 15,000 dosage units, according to DPS.
The operations conducted on Oct. 19, 2010, resulted in 10 arrests (8 adults and 2 juveniles) as identified below. The investigation is on-going and additional arrests are expected.

Phillip Sharpe, 52 – Resident of Lyon County (Bail of
$750,000),
Trafficking Level III, Child Endangerment, Racketeering, Conspiracy to Violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Controlled Substance For Sale, Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Place Where Controlled Substance are Used and Sold, Unlawful for Children to be Present Where Controlled Substance are Sold and Used, Possession of Controlled Substance.

Nathan Bowman, 28 – Resident of Lyon County
Trafficking Level III, Racketeering, Conspiracy to Violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale, Conspiracy to Possess Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Place Where Controlled Substance are Used and Sold, Possession of Controlled Substance.

Aaron Sharpe, 28 – Resident of Carson City
Parole and Probation Violation, Racketeering, Conspiracy to Commit Trafficking.

Sean Coots, 52 – Resident of Lyon County
Racketeering, Conspiracy to Violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Hypodermic Device.

Penny Sharpe, 38 – Resident of Lyon County
Being Under the Influence of Methamphetamine, Being Under the Influence of Marijuana.

Jose Juan Sanchez, 39 – Resident of California
Trafficking Level III, Racketeering, Sales and or Transportation of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale, Conspiracy to Violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Controlled Substance.

Flora Renee Coots-Sharpe, 56 – Resident of Carson City
Possession for Sales (Methamphetamine), Possession for Sales (Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Marijuana less than 1oz.

Christian Sanchez, 25 – Resident of California
Trafficking Level III, Racketeering, Sales and or Transportation of Controlled Substance, Possession of Controlled Substance for Sale, Conspiracy to Violate the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Controlled Substance.

2 Juveniles (ages 17 and 15)
Probation Violations – Residents of Lyon County