A man, Fabian Gomez, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in South Lake Tahoe. The charges stem from Operation Bear Trap, which began in 2020 to address the growing problem of methamphetamine distribution in the area. Most of Gomez's distribution occurred in South Tahoe, but some of the drug supply was from Sacramento. Gomez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy todistribute methamphetamine on Dec. 8, 2025. Epifanio Ramirez, another defendant charged in this case, was sentenced on Jan. 12 to 24.5 years for three counts of distribution of methamphetamine. The operation has resulted in numerous arrests and seizure of several firearms.