Above: Flores-Morales and Talavera

PREVIOUSLY: Drug Task Force Arrests Trigger Fears of Deportation

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release: 

On 02-06-17 at about 10:30 A.M. Special Agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, assisted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management and Immigration and Customs Enforcement served three Humboldt County Superior Court search warrants.

The first residence was located in the 3000 block of Smith Lane in the city of Fortuna.  At this location Special Agents arrested 52 year old Antonio Fernando Flores-Morales.  He was found to be in possession of 394 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 41grams of suspected heroin.  In addition $3,715.00 in U.S. Currency was seized as possible proceeds of narcotics sales.

The second residence was in the 3800 block of South Main Street in Fortuna.  No items of evidentiary value were located during the search and no arrests were made at this location.

The third location was in the 3200 block of Fisher Road in Hydesville. At this location Special Agents arrested 27 year old Joaquin Talavera. He was found to be in possession of 609.6 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 27.5 grams of suspected cocaine, 1.8 grams of suspected heroin, two rifles and a sawed off shotgun. 

Through the months-long investigation Special Agents were able to determine some of the involved parties did not speak English. As a result, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents were requested to assist with translating during interviews with those involved. No immigration action was taken at this time by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents.

Joaquin was arrested and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a narcotic, possession of a sawed of shotgun, being armed in the commission of a felony and being armed while in possession of a controlled substance.

Antonio was arrested and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic for sale and transportation of a narcotic.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-444-8095 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539.