Don't Sell Drugs in Storey County

STOREY COUNTY, NV - On March 30, 2026, Storey County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted an investigation in relation to an anonymous tip that a subject, Michael Espinoza (age 40 of Reno, Nevada) and a friend, Thomas Lee (age 38 of Reno, Nevada), were selling narcotics at a job site in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center. You already know where this is going…

Deputies confirmed Espinoza was on the job site and paid him a visit, along with K9 Chino (ruh-roh). Espinoza’s vehicle was located and a free air sniff was conducted with permission of job site management. K9 Chino, still the cutest and best boy, alerted to the presence of the odor of narcotics. Surprise, Lee was on scene with the vehicle. Lee was detained and a probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted.

Can you guess what deputies found inside? Approximately 22.6 grams of cocaine, 3.7 ounces of marijuana, 46 grams of THC concentrate, drug paraphernalia, a scale, and dozens of baggies were seized. I mean, who would have thought?

Espinoza was located attempting to leave the area (why even bother, our deputies are quick). He was detained. Both Espinoza and Lee were subsequently placed under arrest, transported to the Storey County Detention Facility, and charged with the following:

-NRS 453.336.2C Possess schedule I or II controlled substance, more than 14g but less than 28g
-NRS 453.337.2A Possess schedule I or II controlled substance for sales
-NRS 453.336.5 Possess marijuana more than 1oz less than 50lbs
-NRS 453.336.5 Possess THC concentrate more than 1/8oz but less than 1lb
-NRS 453.566 Use or possess drug paraphernalia

Moral of the story, don’t sell drugs in Storey!

(K9 Chino did in fact receive all the pets and treats)

****All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law****