10 arrested in discovery of 3 pounds of meth

Ten people were arrested and more than three pounds of methamphetamine recovered Tuesday night in a joint operation involving state and local law enforcement agencies in Carson City and Lyon County, an official said Wednesday.

According to a press release from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, a criminal investigation commenced six months ago into a drug trafficking organization with connections to Mexico believed responsible for distributing methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in Carson City, Dayton, Silver Springs, Virginia City and Fallon .

The investigation came to an end Tuesday night after Phillip Sharpe, 52, of Dayton allegedly received more than 3 pounds of methamphetamine from two California men in the parking lot of Jack in the Box in Dayton.

Officers moved in and arrested Sharpe, Jose Juan Sanchez, 39, and Christian Sanchez, 25. Investigators then served search warrants at 5:30 p.m. at two homes in Dayton: 1368 Grassland Drive and 103 Green Road; and two homes in Carson City: 1600 Airport Road, Apt. 141 and 3411 Airport Road, Apt. 106.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 1,502 grams

(3 pounds 5 ounces) of: methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $250,000; 112 grams

(4 ounces) of cocaine with an estimated street value of $4,000; 29.2 grams of marijuana with an estimated street value of $250 and cash totaling $12,700.

In addition, four vehicles, two motorcycles and two guns were seized.

Arrested were:

• Phillip Sharpe, 52, of Lyon County on suspicion of trafficking, child endangerment, racketeering, conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substance act, possession of controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to possess controlled substance, maintaining a place where controlled substance(s) are used and sold, unlawful for children to be present where controlled substance(s) are sold and used, possession of controlled substance. His bail is set at $815,000.

• Nathan Bowman, 28, of Lyon County on suspicion of trafficking level 3, racketeering, conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substance act, possession of controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to possess controlled substance, maintaining a place where controlled substance(s) are used and sold, possession of controlled substance. Bail was set at $720,000.

• Aaron Sharpe, 28, of Carson City on suspicion of parole and probation violation, racketeering, conspiracy to commit trafficking. No bail was set.

• Sean Coots, 52, of Lyon County on suspicion of racketeering, conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substance act, possession of controlled substance, unlawful possession of hypodermic device. Bail was set at $121,000.

• Penny Sharpe, 38, of Lyon County on suspicion of being under the influence of methamphetamine, being under the influence of marijuana. Bail was set at $5,000.

• Jose Juan Sanchez, 39, of California on suspicion of trafficking level 3, racketeering, sales and or transportation of controlled substance, possession of controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substance act, possession of controlled substance. Bail was set at $700,000.

• Flora Renee Coots-Sharpe, 56, of Carson City, on suspicion of possession for sales (methamphetamine), possession for sales (marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana less than an ounce. Bail was set at $7,500.

• Christian Sanchez, 25, of California, on suspicion of trafficking level 3, racketeering, sales and or transportation of controlled substance, possession of controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substance act, possession of controlled substance. Bail was set at $700,000.

• Two juveniles, ages 17 and 15, the sons of one of the Lyon County suspects, were arrested on suspicion of probation violation.

Aaron Sharpe and Coots-Sharpe are being held in the Carson City Jail. The rest are in custody in Lyon County.