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Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

Bergenske.

On February 4th , 2021 agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) received information that Gary Bergenske (60 years old from Eureka) was going to be picking up a large quantity of heroin in the Fortuna area. Bergenske is on felony probation in Humboldt County for drug sales. Agents conducted surveillance on Bergenske and watched him meet a heroin source in the parking lot of a shopping center in the 700 block of South Fortuna Blvd. in Fortuna.

HCDTF agents followed the source away from the meeting and observed him driving without his headlights on and then he failed to yield for multiple stop signs in the City of Fortuna. HCDTF agents made a traffic stop on the source vehicle on southbound Highway 101 at Highway 36. The driver was identified as Rodrigo Misael Alvarez Alatorre (20 years old from Los Angeles). Alatorre was found to not have a driver’s license and agents could see heroin in plain view in his vehicle. Agents located 6 ounces of heroin in the vehicle. Agents conducted a further search and located $10,000 in US currency hidden in a compartment behind the back seat. This money was seized pending an asset forfeiture investigation. Alatorre was transported to the Humboldt County jail where he was booked for the following charges:

Alvarez.

• H&S 11352(a) Transportation of controlled substances for sale

• H&S 11351(a) Possession of controlled substances for sale

• VC 12500(a) Driving without a driver’s license

On February 5th, 2021 in the early morning hours HCDTF agents conducted a probation search on Bergenske and his hotel room in the 1900 block of Broadway St. in Eureka. Agents detained Bergenske as he exited his hotel room. Agents located approx. 2 pounds of heroin in Bergenske’s possession. Bergenske was transported to the Humboldt County jail where he was booked for the following charges:

• H&S 11351(a) Possession of controlled substances for sale

• PC 1203.2 Probation violation

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.