Heroin bust lands mom, son in Tahoe jail

By Kathryn Reed

A mother and son are in El Dorado County jail on heroin charges, which, if found guilty of, could lead to their deportation because neither one has been living in South Lake Tahoe legally.

South Shore narcotics officers had been working undercover, which led them to arrest Jose Ruben Gomez Gonzalez, 25, of South Lake Tahoe after he allegedly sold them heroin.

He was busted July 15 on the third sale, according to Cmdr. Jeff Catchings with South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team.

A search warrant at his residence in the 3700 block of Paradise Avenue turned up more heroin, cash and a loaded handgun.

“It appeared he was packaging for sale in (his mom’s) room,” Catchings said.

In Genoveva Gonzalez De Leon’s bedroom officers said they found three safes. One had $4,700 in cash, a 9mm handgun and heroin.

Between the three buys and what was found at the house, Catchings said a quarter pound of heroin with a street value of $9,000 was confiscated.

De Leon, 41, of South Lake Tahoe faces a charge of possession of heroin for sale. Gonzalez was arrested on the same charge plus sales of heroin and transportation.

Because of their illegal status, immigration has placed a hold on them at the South Lake Tahoe jail.

Also living in the 800-square-foot residence were two other adults and two toddlers. Child Protective Services has been notified. Catchings said at this time it is not believed the mother of the two children was involved in the drug activity.