Just three days after Santa Barbara Sheriff’s detectives arrested six people for selling and using methamphetamine, authorities took down another alleged meth house. This time around, an additional six people were apprehended on Friday, May 28, for purportedly distributing the illegal drug and being in possession of heroin. (There is no word yet if the two busts are related.) In the most recent raid, a couple was arrested in their home, and their three children were taken into protective custody.
According to Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Drew Sugars, narcotics detectives — with the help of city police — served a search warrant at a residence on lower Chapala Street. They were reportedly acting on information gathered throughout a six-month-long investigation.
At the house, detectives arrested Robert Bergere, 43, who is suspected of dealing “large amounts of methamphetamine,” and his wife, Luana Bergere, 37. The Bergere’s children — ages 6-11 — were present at the time of the raid, and Child Welfare Services was called in to look over them. County Animal Control was also contacted to take care of the dogs found on the property.
While detectives were in the middle of conducting their search warrant, another four other suspects showed up and were subsequently taken into custody: Robert Bergere’s younger brother Kelly Bergere, 42; Joe Hurtado, 32; and Raelene Chavez, 41. Detectives also seized a half-pound of methamphetamine, scales, five grams of black tar heroin, packaging materials, $1,200 in cash, and other paraphernalia associated with narcotics sales.
The six suspects taken into custody, who were then booked into Santa Barbara County Jail, are charged with the following crimes:
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Robert Bergere: Sales of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, maintaining a dwelling for drug use and sales, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and child endangerment. Bail set at $30,000.
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Luana Bergere: Sales of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling for drug use and sales, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and child endangerment. Bail set at $30,000.
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Kelly Bergere: Sales of methamphetamine, possession of heroin, possession of methamphetamine, being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail set at $30,000.
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Hurtado: Being under the influence of a controlled substance. No bail set due to a parole violation.
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Chavez: Being under the influence of a controlled substance, and child endangerment. Bail set at $30,000.