The Western El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team (WENET) diligently and covertly investigates narcotics related criminal activity in El Dorado County. The team is composed of one Sergeant and five Detectives with one detective assigned to a regional task force. Task force agencies investigate large scale narcotics cases throughout California and the United States in addition to cases in El Dorado County. WENET assists task force agencies with large scale operations throughout California; often working with numerous state and federal agencies.
Detectives are responsible for investigating mid to high level narcotics crimes within El Dorado County. Many of these investigations often take detectives out of county in order to identify and apprehend the source of the narcotics coming into El Dorado County. 2019 was another eventful year with the Narcotics Unit serving more than 60 search warrants, writing 232 reports and 92 arrests. Numerous covert and undercover operations were completed that resulted in the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illegal narcotics to include 12.2 pounds of methamphetamine, over 13,000 pounds of processed marijuana, over 19,800 marijuana plants and 7 Butane Honey Oil (BHO) labs. Detectives also seized over $620,000 in illegal narcotic sales and 54 firearms.
In 2019, WENET detectives concluded an 18 month-long investigation after identifying a major source of methamphetamine coming into El Dorado County. During this case, WENET Detectives seized a pound of heroin, more than 17 pounds of methamphetamine, 3 firearms and arrested 8 drug dealers trafficking illegal narcotics into El Dorado County. This case concluded in November with WENET serving a search warrant at the supplier’s residence in Modesto, Ca.
In May, Detectives received information about a possible BHO lab in the Cameron Park area. This information led to over a month long investigation in which WENET detectives, along with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency, were able to shut down a drug trafficking organization that used a Learjet to illegally transport processed
marijuana and concentrated cannabis from California to New Jersey. During the investigation numerous search warrants were executed and over 1,300 pound of processed marijuana and 87 pounds of BHO were seized. During the investigation over $500,000 and the Learjet aircraft were seized.
WENET observed an increase in illegal narcotics being sold on social media this year. Detectives conducted several undercover operations where suspects were found to be selling drugs via social media. In two separate cases, an undercover agent purchased drugs after arranging a deal online. In total, over ½ pound of psilocybin mushrooms and 105 hits of LSD were seized. In one case, a child was removed from the home as part of a Drug Endangered Children Investigation.
As with all entities of the Sheriff’s Office, support from the community has been incredible. Often narcotics investigations begin with the watchful eye of a concerned neighbor or community members providing the Sheriff’s Office with information. WENET would not be as successful as it has been without the assistance from the public on a daily basis.
WENET works to partner with members of the community to help educate the public and local youth. Detectives participate in community meetings, citizen academy presentations, school demonstrations as well as other community events.
Narcotics
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