February 13, 2022 - The Riverside County Sheriff's Department reports on February 12, 2022, at 5:00 P.M., the Coachella Community Action Team (CCAT), with the assistance of Thermal Station patrol deputies, and a Sheriff K-9 Deputy, responded to a storage facility, located in the 78-100 block of Avenue 42, Bermuda Dunes, regarding an ongoing narcotic investigation. Multiple subjects were contacted inside a stolen U-Haul truck and a black Nissan sedan. The subjects were found to be on active county probation and search of the vehicles was conducted. During the search of the vehicles, approximately 300 fentanyl pills, two loaded 9mm non-serialized firearms (commonly referred to as ghost guns), approximately twelve grams of methamphetamine, and items indicative of narcotics sales were located and seized.

Arrested was Ricardo Nieto, 26 of Coachella, for possession of fentanyl for sale, possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of narcotics while armed, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of a firearm, and violation of felony probation. Noelle Markowitz, 26 of La Quinta, for possession of fentanyl for sale, possession of methamphetamine for sale, and possession of narcotics while armed. Alfredo Nieto, 27 of Coachella, for vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and violation of felony probation. Noah Roby, 26 of Desert Hot Springs, for possession of fentanyl. The subjects were booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in the city of Indio. The stolen U-Haul was recovered.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Nevins with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (760) 863-8990, or Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867).

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Department