News

The Humboldt County Drug Task Force arrested two Eureka residents Thursday as part of an ongoing investigation into fentanyl sales, according to a news release.

According to the release, agents contacted Amy Spindler, 45, who had been under investigation since early in the month, at a gas station on the 2800 block of Broadway and detained her and a passenger in her vehicle, Rebecca Chapa, 37.

After serving a search warrant on Spindler’s vehicle, the task force reported finding “multiple packages and containers of fentanyl and Xanax as well as cutting agents.” Chapa also admitted having additional fentanyl in her shirt after being advised she could face a felony if she was found with any drugs on person once she was taken to jail and turned it over to agents at the scene, the release states.

Spindler reportedly denied she had any drugs on her but fentanyl was found in her shirt during the booking process, according to the task force. Chapa and Spindler were both arrested on suspicion of possessing fentanyl for sale and possession of a controlled substance for sale, with Spindler facing an additional charge of bringing a drug into the jail.

Fentanyl, a potent opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin, accounted for 10 percent of all deaths recorded by the coroner's office in 2021. The 33 fentanyl-related deaths recorded last year were up from 11 in 2020, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reported last week.


Read the task force release below:

Since early January 2022 the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) had been investigating Amy Spindler (45 years old from Eureka) for fentanyl sales. As a result of their investigation agents received a search warrant for Spindler.

On January 20th, 2022 HCDTF agents contacted Spindler outside of her vehicle at a gas station in the 2800 block of Broadway St. in Eureka. Spindler and her passenger, Rebecca Chapa (37 years old from Eureka) were detained without incident.

Agents served the search warrant and located multiple packages and containers of fentanyl and Xanax as well as cutting agents in the vehicle. Agents advised both suspects they were under arrest and advised them that if they had drugs hidden inside of their clothing it would be a felony to transport it into the jail. Chapa admitted to having additional fentanyl inside of her shirt and she was allowed to retrieve the fentanyl out of her shirt and give it to the agents. Spindler denied having any drugs hidden on her person.

Both suspects were transported to the jail and booked for the following charges:
H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sale
H&S 11378 Possession of controlled substances for sale

During the jail booking Spindler was found to have fentanyl hidden inside of her shirt. Spindler added a felony charge for the following: PC 4573 Bringing drugs into a jail or prison.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.