8 arrested in undercover operation at Hard Rock’s Rehab pool

By Mary Manning

Published Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 | 2:39 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 | 6:23 p.m.

UPDATED STORY: Regulators expand probe at Hard Rock’s Rehab pool

Detectives from Metro's vice and narcotics bureau and the special investigations section arrested eight people Sunday in an undercover operation at the Rehab Pool Party at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

The operation targeted narcotics and prostitution-related crimes, police said. It is part of an ongoing response to increased incidents of illicit activities at resort pools throughout the Las Vegas Valley, police said.

Seven of the people were arrested for alleged narcotics-related offenses and one for soliciting prostitution, police said.

The Hard Rock Hotel released a statement Tuesday evening saying it supports the efforts of Metro Police.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding these alleged activities. It's unfortunate that of the nearly 6,000 people who enjoyed themselves during the course of the day at Rehab, eight individuals engaged in conduct that resulted in their being arrested," according to the statement. "Hard Rock has worked with Metro in the past to develop security procedures for our pool party and will continue to fully cooperate with Metro going forward."

Those arrested at the Hard Rock Hotel include:

Roquito Santos, 25, of Alameda, Calif., arrested for sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell;

Rajaa A. Farah, 29,, of San Leandro, Calif., arrested for sale of a controlled substance;

Igor Alejandra Garrido, 30, of Hayward, Calif., arrested for conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act;

Joshua Gilman, 29, of New York City, arrested for two counts of sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance;

Crystal Amlie Shields, 22, of Long Beach, Calif., arrested for sale of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell;

Heather Erickson, 21, of Long Beach, Calif., arrested for sale of a controlled substance;

Robert Baldwin, 27, of New York, arrested for sale of a controlled substance;

Nancy Veley, 24, of North Las Vegas, arrested for soliciting prostitution.

Metro also has cracked down on illicit activities at other pools this summer.

The Rio voluntarily closed its now-defunct Sapphire Pool on July 25 after Metro Police arrested 11 people on drug and prostitution charges.

Prive, a nightclub at Planet Hollywood, had its liquor license stripped and was forced to close in early August. The Clark County Commission, acting as the county's Liquor and Licensing Board, allowed Prive to reopen on a temporary permit.