Twain Harte, CA…7 people arrested in months-long drug trafficking investigation. Operation “Snow Fall” kicked off early Wednesday morning. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Narcotics Agents (TNT) with assistance from Sheriff’s Detectives, Patrol and Boating Divisions, California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), and the High Risk Probation Supervision Team executed multiple search and arrest warrants stemming from a drug dealing operation based out of a downtown Twain Harte cocktail lounge.

From top left: (Gelhaus, Mantzouranis, Diaz) Bottom left: (Hankins, Bradley, Mangrum, Christensen)

TNT and ABC Agents purchased cocaine and MDMA (Ecstacy/Molly) on several occasions from inside the lounge. Arrest warrants were issued for Quentin Gelhaus who led the drug dealing ring with help from Christopher Mantzouranis, Richelle Diaz, Joshua Hankins, Allyson Bradley, Gary Somerville, Troy Mangrum, and Sebastian Christensen.

Search warrants were executed at the homes of Gelhaus, Diaz, Christensen, and Mantzouranis in Twain Harte and Sonora. More evidence of drug sales were located at the homes including 3 ounces of Cocaine, 2 ounces of MDMA, packaging materials, scales, and nearly $9,000 cash. Two loaded handguns were seized and one was determined to have been stolen out of Modesto.

Gelhaus and Diaz were taken into custody on their arrest warrants along with charges for possession of Cocaine and MDMA for sale, being armed in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a crime and child endangerment. The 6-year-old child who was present at the home was placed into the care of Child Welfare Services.

Mantzouranis was taken into custody on his arrest warrant with additional charges of possession of Cocaine and MDMA for sale, being armed in the commission of a felony, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a stolen firearm, and manufacturing of a controlled substance. Evidence of a Butane Honey Oil (Marijuana/Hash Oil) lab was found in his home.

Christensen was taken into custody on his arrest warrant along with fresh charges of possession of Cocaine for sale, and for committing a felony while out on bail stemming from a drugs sales arrest in December.

Hankins, Bradley, and Mangrum were all located and taken into custody on their warrants for selling drugs to Under Cover Agents.

Somerville has not yet been captured. He is wanted for drug sales in our county as well as in Tennessee.