Four arrested during joint narcotics sting operation.

On Friday February 19th, between 1:30pm and 3:15pm, the Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team and Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team conducted a narcotics sting operation in the City of Santa Cruz. The joint operation resulted in the arrest of four suspects for conspiracy and sales of narcotics to undercover officers. The suspects sold methamphetamine and heroin to undercover officers. The arrests were made in the areas of San Lorenzo Park and the east river levee of the San Lorenzo River near Riverside Ave.

The suspects arrested have been identified as:

Rafael Saldana - 46 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

Rafael Saldana  was arrested for (1) Sales of Heroin 11351H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182 PC 

Juan Gonzalez, - 41 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

Juan Gonzalez was arrested for (1) Sales of Heroin 11351H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182 PC

Benjamin Kirkley - 59 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

Benjamin Kirkley was arrested for (1) Sales of Methamphetamine 11378H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182PC

John Pitts - 37 years old, Transient, Santa Cruz

John Pitts was arrested for Arrested for (1) Sales of Methamphetamine 11378H&S, (2) Conspiracy to Commit Crime 182PC
  
This successful drug arrest is due to the combined work of the Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team and the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team.

Please continue to contact SCPD when suspicious activity occurs in your neighborhood. 

The Santa Cruz Police Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) is specialized unit. NET works as a team to focus on mid to long-term issues works focus is on enforcement strategies in order to suppress crimes of violence, gangs and drugs throughout the City of Santa Cruz.