NSIB Agents Bust Pot Grow, Seize Meth, Guns

BY NAPA SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU

This week, NSIB detectives arrested and booked six people at the Napa County Department of Corrections and seized three guns from meth users, small amounts of suspected methamphetamine and more than 1,500 marijuana plants.


On the evening of Sept. 4, NSIB detectives culminated a drug investigation into a marijuana growing operation in the 2600 block of Mt. Veeder Road by conducting a parole search at a nearby residence.

Detectives contacted and subsequently arrested 27 year-old parolee Eddie Motley from Napa for possession of methamphetamine.

Detectives seized a .45 caliber handgun, ammunition, and almost two pounds of processed marijuana from the residence. Detectives also eradicated a number of nearby marijuana plants. The investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.

During the summer and fall, NSIB routinely fields complaints from Napa County landowners of armed trespassers, vandalized gates, suspicious activities, theft of water, illegal dumping, and the like related to the illegal cultivation of marijuana on private lands.

 In response, NSIB periodically conducts over flight operations in Napa County looking for those responsible. The over-flights are funded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

In a recent over-flight, NSIB Detectives observed marijuana growing in a remote area near the 3700 block of Mt. Veeder Road. On September 5th, 2013, NSIB Detectives hiked into the area with a Napa County Deputy Sheriff and his K-9 partner. Detectives located over four hundred growing marijuana plants, a dammed up creek bed, and a nearby campsite.

Detectives also found a cistern measuring approximately 20’ x 10’ x 5’ that was reportedly hand-dug in preparation for future growing operations.

As detectives searched the area, they saw a male flee from the marijuana plot and gave chase. The suspect, identified as 26 year old Mario Quintero of Boyes Hot Springs, was subsequently apprehended with the assistance of the Sheriff’s K-9.

Quintero was arrested for cultivation of marijuana and resisting arrest, medically cleared at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center (QVMC), and booked at NCDC.

That same afternoon, detectives then responded to the 4500 block of Chiles Pope Valley Road in northern Napa County to investigate another marijuana growing operation.

Detectives subsequently located an extensive growing operation hidden in rugged terrain covering several acres. Detectives eradicated approximately 1,100 marijuana plants from the area. No suspects were located.

During the week of Sept. 5, NSIB Detectives were driving in the 2100 block of Wilkins Avenue when they spotted numerous giant marijuana plants being grown in the back yard of a residence.

The plants stood well above the top of the fence line. The homeowner is known to local law enforcement personnel.

Detectives secured a search warrant for the residence and on the evening of Sept. 5, initiated surveillance there. A short time later, Detectives saw a Cadillac being driven away from the residence.

The driver, later identified as 53 year-old Gary Sinclair from San Pablo, drove away from the residence in a reckless manner crossing into opposing lanes of traffic near the intersection of Imola Avenue and Highway 221.

Detectives caught up to Sinclair and activated their vehicles lights and sirens. Sinclair continued driving for a ways before turning from southbound Highway 221 to westbound Streblow Drive near the Napa Valley College and yielding. Detectives determined both Sinclair and his passenger, 58 year-old Richard Wincentsen from Richmond, were under the influence of a drug (stimulant).

A search of the car yielded a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine. Sinclair was found to be wanted out of Contra Costa County on an outstanding felony arrest warrant. Sinclair was arrested without incident for DUI-drugs, possession of a meth pipe, and the outstanding arrest warrant. Wincentsen was arrested without incident for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Sinclair and Wincentsen were booked at NCDC.

NSIB detectives then served the search warrant at the residence in the 2100 block of Wilkins Avenue and detained several people there.

Detectives conservatively estimated the marijuana plants were capable of producing more than 25 pounds of bud in total. The plants were seized as evidence. Searching a converted living quarters,

Detectives located methamphetamine lying out on a desk lined up as if ready to ingest adjacent to a loaded shotgun and near a loaded handgun. The meth, shotgun, and handgun were seized along with additional ammunition.

The resident who occupied the living quarters, 59 year-old Clarence Sibsey of Napa, was arrested without incident for possessing methamphetamine and firearms. Detectives also contacted 58 year-old Curtis Reitmeier from Napa at the residence and arrested him without incident for possessing a pipe used to smoke methamphetamine.

Both Sibsey and Reitmeier were booked at NCDC.

This investigation is continuing and additional charges are expected.
Residents are encouraged to call NSIB with information or complaints related to illicit drug use, sales, cultivation, or manufacturing at 253-4458 or our NSIB Drug Hotline at 224-DRUG (3784).

Callers can remain anonymous.

Suspects and Charges
1. Eddie Motley, age 27 11377 HS: Poss. of Controlled Substance
Napa Resident
2. Mario Quintero, age 26 11358 HS: Cultivation of Marijuana
Boyes Hot Springs Resident 148 PC: Resisting Arrest
3. Gary Sinclair, age 53 23152 (a) CVC: DUI - drugs
San Pablo Resident 11364 HS: Poss. Of Drug Paraphernalia
Outstanding Arrest Warrant out of Contra Costa County
4. Richard Wincentsen, 58 11364 HS: Poss. Of Drug Paraphernalia
Richmond Resident
5. Clarence Sibsey, 59 11370.1 HS: Poss. Of Meth and Firearms
Napa Resident
6. Curtis Reitmeier, 58 11364 HS: Poss. Of Drug Paraphernalia
Napa Resident