SLTPD and DCSO go undercover to investigate Lake Tahoe and Carson Valley drug trafficking

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) and Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) Street Enforcement Team have conducted a joint investigation over the last nine months into the trafficking and sales of heroin and methamphetamine in the area.

During the undercover operation, SLTPD officers and DCSO deputies infiltrated a group of individuals that were selling narcotics in the Stateline and South Lake Tahoe area. As the investigation developed, investigators found the individuals were also traveling to the Carson Valley and selling narcotics to other individuals, who in return were selling the narcotics throughout the Carson Valley.

Eight individuals for sales and trafficking of controlled substances and four additional subjects have active arrest warrants on drug charges.

The investigation is responsible for removing approximately 92 grams of heroin, 158 grams of methamphetamine, 7 grams of cocaine, 42 tabs of LSD and $1,000.00 in counterfeit money from the streets, with a total street value of over $20,000.00.

The following individuals were arrested during the investigation:

Kevin Joseph Bonovich, 35 years of age from Glenbrook, Nevada was arrested on 09-03-18 and charged with four counts of sales of a controlled substance.

Joshua Labryant Edwards, 33 years of age from Gardnerville, Nevada was arrested on 03-14-18 and charged with one count of trafficking of a controlled substance, two counts of sales of a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime. Edwards was subsequently sentenced to prison for this charge. Edwards (who is in Nevada State Prison) will be returning to Douglas County for another case related to this investigation. Edwards has been charged with two counts of sales of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school and one count of theft.

Adam James Guenther, 28 years of age from Medford, Oregon was arrested in Jackson County Oregon in September. Guenther was held in Oregon for local charges until 10-03-18 when he was extradited back to Douglas County where he is charged with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance and three counts of sales of a controlled substance. During the investigation Guenther was living in Gardnerville but fled to Oregon to attempt to avoid arrest.

Riyantyler Anthony Hudson, 31 years of age from South Lake Tahoe, California was arrested on 08-04-18 for two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance.

Lance James Logan, 31 years of age from South Lake Tahoe, California was arrested in South Lake Tahoe, CA on 10-20-18 and charged with trafficking of a controlled substance.

Shantell Mae Marullo, 41 years of age from South Lake Tahoe, California was arrested on 10-11-18 and charged with two counts of trafficking of a controlled substance, seven counts of sales of a controlled substance and five counts of conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act.

Christopher Servanno Mendonca, 23 years of age from South Lake Tahoe, California is currently in custody in the El Dorado County Jail awaiting extradition back to Douglas County where he is charged with two counts of sales of a controlled substance and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Shawn Gary Stenzel, 28 years of age from South Lake Tahoe, California was arrested on 10-11-18 and charged with one count of trafficking of a controlled substance and two counts of conspiracy to violate the uniform controlled substance act.

Pictured in photo - Clockwise starting top left-Kevin Bonovich, Joshua Edwards, Adam Guenther, Christopher Mendonca, Shantell Marullo, Shawn Stenzel, Lance Logan and Riyantyler Hudson.