Operation Gateway 101 Bicycle Stop on Broadway Leads to Meth Arrest

Eureka Police bicyclists stopped 30-year-old Jabril Abdallah Lovern at about 10:54 p.m. on the 2400 block of Broadway after observing a lighting violation, searched him incident to his probation status and seized methamphetamine packaged for sale, additional packaging materials and cash in various denominations, authorities said; Lovern was arrested and booked on HS 11378, HS 11379 and PC 1203.2(a).

The bicycle stop was identified by the department as part of Operation Gateway 101, the initiative the Eureka Police Department presented to City Council as "a coordinated, proactive effort to improve traffic safety and quality of life along the U.S. Highway 101 Corridor." The department told council the corridor faces collisions involving motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, unsafe behaviors, encampments, graffiti, debris and aggressive conduct affecting businesses, and elevated levels of theft, vandalism and property-related crime.

The Broadway arrest follows a series of recent drug-enforcement actions across Humboldt County. Investigators executed a search at a residence in the 3300 block of Cottage Street and detained 22-year-old Damon Austin Roberts Jr.; officers reported seizing nine ounces of methamphetamine, 22 M30 pills, 112 B707 pills, a loaded stolen firearm, two digital scales and about $9,705 in U.S. currency. Roberts and 52-year-old Patrick Oneal Davis were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on multiple charges after search warrants were executed; Davis was located at a residence on the 100 block of West Del Norte Street where officers found 2.3 grams of methamphetamine, 6.5 grams of fentanyl and a digital scale and booked him on HS 11351 and HS 11377(a).

A February 17 operation by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force and partner agencies produced additional arrests and seizures. Investigators contacted 57-year-old Charles Kenneth Groves while he walked to his vehicle at Blue Lake Fuel and Fun and found a loaded short-barrel shotgun, a loaded .22-caliber handgun with suppressor, a bulletproof vest, 16.5 grams of heroin and 7.4 grams of methamphetamine; packaging materials were located at Groves’ residence. Groves was booked on HS 11370.1, HS 11379, HS 11378, HS 11351 and PC 29800(a)(1), and the task force requested the district attorney consider additional charges including possession of a silencer, possession of an assault weapon, possession of body armor and felon in possession of ammunition. Investigators arrested 50-year-old Gabriel Zachariah Giraud at his residence after seizing over 11 ounces of fentanyl, 16 grams of heroin, items used to sell controlled substances and more than $13,000 believed to be drug-sale proceeds; Giraud was booked and the cash was seized under asset forfeiture procedures.

A separate traffic stop leading to an apartment search on the 800 block of Eighth Street yielded a large seizure: officers recovered a hidden compartment in a vehicle containing six ounces of methamphetamine and, after obtaining a warrant, reported finding roughly 6.6 pounds of methamphetamine and more than $170,000 in cash at the apartment. A 28-year-old man identified as Alain Cabrera was taken into custody after allegedly attempting to flee and struggling with officers; his wife, identified as Lizabeth Lopez, was booked on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine for sale and maintaining a drug house. EPD Chief Murl Harpham called that case "This is, I think, the largest meth bust ever by our department."

City and county law-enforcement leaders have tied these actions to coordinated efforts on the 101 corridor and broader task-force activity involving the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s POP Team, the Humboldt County Marijuana Enforcement Team and tribal police partners. The department framed the Broadway bicycle stop as one enforcement action in Operation Gateway 101; officials indicated similar targeted patrols and warrant activity will continue along the corridor.