Lake Worth couple accused of selling drugs in front of children
Deputies monitored jail phone calls between couple.
LAKE WORTH — A suburban Lake Worth couple were arrested during the past week on allegations they sold heroin and cocaine out of their home in the presence of children.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff ’s Office arrested Irvin Lamothe, 34, on Nov. 16 on charges that include trafficking in heroin, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm during a felony. Dashna Lamothe, 32, was arrested on drug charges Monday, days after deputies began monitoring jail phone calls between the couple.
Dashna reportedly spoke to Irvin on the calls about “buddies” — a street term for repeat drug customers — continuing to come to their home, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies obtained a warrant to search the couple’s Hi Street home, off 10th Avenue North west of the city limits, on Nov. 16.
One person as young as age 7 resides at the home, according to an arrest report. The house is within 1,000 feet of Mavericks High School on Congress Avenue in Palm Springs.
According to an arrest report, investigators saw narcotics left in plain view and scattered throughout the home. Several small bags of heroin were found, the sheriff ’s office said. Investigators say a total of 72.1 grams of heroin — about one-sixth of a pound — was found in the house.
The heroin was not fieldtested due to concerns about the presence of fentanyl, the report said.
“I’m glad the kids weren’t there. The guys with the mask (PBSO undercover agents) would have scared the kids,” the report quotes Dashna Lamothe saying in a recorded jail conversation.
Investigators reportedly also recovered an unloaded Kel-Tec .22-caliber firearm and an empty magazine from the couple’s bedroom. Ammunition for the weapon was found in another room, deputies said. Investigators said Irvin Lamothe has a past felony drug conviction and that he conceded it was illegal for him to have a gun. He said he had a gun for “protection,” according to an arrest report.
Irvin Lamothe remained in custody at the Palm Beach County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $981,000 bail. Dashna Lamothe was released Tuesday on $15,000 bail.