Carson suspect pleads innocent

A suspected Carson City drug dealer pleaded innocent to five felonies in district court Monday.

Gavino Lara, 29, was arrested Nov. 2 as part of a narcotics sting operation which resulted in 10 arrests and 8 pounds of drugs seized. Three of those originally arrested have since had the charges dropped.

Lara was arrested near Highway 395 and Clear Creek Avenue. His bail was set at $100,000 and he remains in the Carson City Jail. Drug agents set up the operation in an effort to reduce methamphetamine distribution in Carson City.

Drug agents believe Lara is responsible for four instances of high volume dealing in methamphetamine and one instance of conspiracy to deal methamphetamine. If convicted, he faces a maximum of three life sentences or 50 years and a fine of up to $1,611,000.

Lara is set to go to trial June 6.