Humboldt County Drug Task Force release:

On August 6th , 2019, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Special Agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at a motel located in the 800 block of Main Street, Fortuna. During their multi-week investigation, agents received information that Brett Bothelia Mehrtens (age 25) and Cheyenne Lea Silva-Lovfald (age 25) are trafficking heroin throughout Humboldt County.

Upon arrival, agents observed Marcus Alan Coles (age 24) departing the scene. It was believed Coles had just purchased narcotics from the room associated to Mehrtens and Silva-Lovfald. When contacted, Coles dropped a baggie containing suspected heroin. Coles was subsequently placed under arrest.

Mehrtens was observed exiting the motel room and he was detained without incident. Pursuant to Silva- Lovfald’s probation terms, agents entered her motel room and detained her without incident.

During a search of the motel room agents located over an ounce of suspected heroin, several grams of suspected methamphetamine, digital scales, and other packaging materials. Agents also located a cooktop, blender, and other cutting materials.

All three subjects were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked for narcotics violations. Mehrtens was also booked for committing a felony while on bail. Agents obtained a 1275 PC hold on Mehrtens until a source of legitimate bail funds could be examined during a court hearing.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976 or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 707-268-2539.