Man arrested after fentanyl investigation, traffic stop in Jamestown
A Tuolumne County man was arrested as part of a long-term narcotics investigation after deputies seized fentanyl, cash and drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop in Jamestown, authorities said.
According to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, the Tuolumne Narcotics Team (TNT) had been investigating David Junior Castanon for the transportation and sale of fentanyl within the county. Investigators obtained a search warrant as part of the probe.
On the evening of Jan. 29, TNT agents conducted a traffic stop on Castanon’s vehicle on La Grange Road near Green Springs Road in Jamestown, sheriff’s officials said. Castanon, who was driving, and a passenger, Laureen Michelle Gammon, were detained.
During a search of the vehicle, agents located just over 8 grams of suspected fentanyl, a digital scale, drug packaging materials and more than $2,200 in cash, authorities said.
Investigators later determined Castanon had recently returned to Tuolumne County from the Bay Area and they believed additional fentanyl had been concealed at a remote location in Oakdale, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Agents responded to the area and recovered an additional ounce — about 28.5 grams — of fentanyl.
In total, investigators said Castanon transported about 36 grams of fentanyl that he allegedly purchased in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Castanon was arrested on suspicion of possession of fentanyl for sale, transportation of fentanyl for sale, transportation of fentanyl across multiple counties for sale, possession of narcotics with two prior convictions, and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
If convicted, Castanon qualifies for a three-year sentencing enhancement for possessing and transporting more than 28.5 grams of fentanyl, authorities said.
Gammon was found to be in possession of approximately 0.3 grams of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff’s Office. She was arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of fentanyl.
Both cases remain under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Office 209-533-5815.
