Arrest made following year-long drug investigation

The Eureka County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO) announced the arrrest of Owl Club owner Eleny Mentaberry on drug-related charges. The arrest followed an investigation over the past year that included undercover operations by the sheriff’s office and Eastern Nevada Narcotics Task Force (ENNTF), which reportedly conducted two “controlled purchases.”

A controlled purchase is a structured operation where a person—either an undercover officer or a confidential informant (CI)—purchases illegal drugs or contraband from a suspect under the direct supervision of detectives.

On the morning of Feb. 26, deputies, detectives and officers from ECSO, ENNTF, Nevada State Police, Nevada Division of Investigation, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Elko County Sheriff’s Office and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police conducted a joint operation to search the local landmark. A search warrant was served at the Owl Club and an attached residence, and guns, drug paraphernalia and narcotics were seized. Mentaberry was arrested by detectives and deputies on scene without incident and charged with five felonies. This includes two counts of possession of methamphetamine for sale and two counts of committing an unauthorized act with methamphetamine. Additionally, Mentaberry has been charged with one count of keeping or maintaining a building or structure for the purpose of keeping or selling the controlled substance.

In a statement following the arrest, Sheriff Miles Umina praised the collaboration between the various departments and issued a warning to others involved in the local drug trade.

“If you use, sell or purchase drugs, Eureka County Sheriff’s Office has the resources, drive and motivation to find and arrest you,” he said.

Officials noted that the investigation remains active and further charges are pending as detectives continue to process evidence seized during the search.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges mentioned above are accusations, and the burden of proof rests entirely with the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.