WINNEMUCCA - A taste of big city crime has come to sleepy Winnemucca, where a joint effort by law enforcement officials has turned up evidence of drug-fueled gang activity.
The probe has produced arrests for beatings, burglaries, a kidnapping and wide-scale intimidation being used in the course of operating a drug business, according to KWNA radio.
Two people who were arrested have had criminal gang activity enhancements added to their charges.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Humboldt County sheriff's office, the tri-county drug enforcement team, the district attorney's office, Winnemucca police and the Nevada Highway Patrol.
"If these criminals can organize and work together toward a common goal, we can work together to stop them," Winnemucca Police Lt. Rick Waldie told the radio station.
James Mercado of the task force said that while there had been drug dealings in Winnemucca for years, none had been this organized.
He said the goal of the group known informally as The Crew was to "take over the drug trade in Winnemucca." He said they intimidated other drug dealers and their customers with threats, some of which were carried out.
The two men who have had the gang enhancements added to their other charges are Paul Anthony Rice and Samuel Aaron Houston.
In addition to any felony criminal charges and gang enhancement these individuals will be facing, District Attorney Dave Allison said racketeering charges will be added.
Deputy District Attorney Robert Dolan said those could add 20 years to any sentences meted out to Rice, Houston or any others charged in the case.
