Coke bust lands 2 South Tahoe residents in jail
By Kathryn Reed
A South Lake Tahoe man twice deported to Mexico faces a third deportation after being arrested on felony narcotics charges.
Florentino Vargas Barragan, 43, was arrested on charges of possession and sales of cocaine, transportation of narcotics and conspiracy.
Jeff Catchings, who heads the South Lake El Dorado Narcotics Enforcement Team, said, “It’s very significant because of the amount (of cocaine) and amount of activity. He was very popular around the area of the Y. He would go to some of the restaurants and bars and hangout. We have received complaints from restaurants. For the most part they would kick him out.”
Barragan, according to Catchings, was arrested Aug. 30 after selling cocaine to an undercover agent. He was arrested in the parking lot of Rite-Aid. Also arrested that Tuesday was Juan Pablo Garcia Mora, 27, of South Lake Tahoe. He faces charges of transportation of a narcotic and conspiracy.
The street value of the nearly 1 pound of uncut cocaine that was seized is $17,000.
Barragan faces a minimum of seven years in jail if convicted and could serve additional federal time for illegal entry. The two times he was deported to Mexico was because of drug charges originating in South Lake Tahoe, according to Catchings.
Also taken by officers from the suspect’s apartment after a search warrant was issued were three cell phones. The warrant allows officers to answer the phone. Catchings said they were ringing nonstop until people figured out it wasn’t Barragan on the other end.
Barragan’s clientele was an extensive network of locals, according to Catchings. Officials, though, are focusing their efforts on dealers at this time and not users.
Time to start tagging their ears. Three strikes and you’re out.
“Tag their ears?”…. Do you actually mean like livestock? What a despicable thing to say. Maybe we should tag the ears of the 90 % “real ‘Merican patriotic teabag leanin’ jerks” that create the non-stop market for these poisonous drugs.
it was a JOKE. And no, not like livestock, like bad bears. They get one ear tag when they’re moved, a second tag for a second move. Third time they destroy them.
That response is absolutely flabbergasting. “no,no,no… not livestock, like bears”.. a joke? …. indeed so
Barragan’s clientele was an extensive network of locals, according to Catchings. Officials, though, are focusing their efforts on dealers at this time and not users. Whew, as half the “locals” would be gone.
Smedley, don’t be a jerk. I didn’t say no no no. I said no, not like.
You’re pretty quick to insult anybody YOU disagree with. As in Teabagger? Get off yer high horse.
Thanks, dogwoman, for saying what I was thinking. Apparently Smedley has an axe to grind with anyone whose political leaning is even slightly to the right.
When in doubt, blame the GOP, the teabaggers or Bush.
And I thought the only reason illegals come here was to work hard and improve their lives. Maybe I shouldn’t believe everything I read and hear from the mainstream media.
Right on SB.
“Florentino Vargas Barragan, 43” Does not show as in custody on Vinelink.com