Over the past
3 months the Santa Cruz Police Department in conjunction with the Santa Cruz
Anti-Crime Team, Santa Cruz County Sheriff, and The U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration have conducted an enforcement operation designed to target
street-level drug sales by gangs in the Beach Flats neighborhood. The objective was to disrupt the gang’s
ability to control the neighborhood streets through drug sales and intimidation
as well as impact a significant funding source for the gang.
We all understand the concept of going after "the supplier", but in reality, you need to combat the problem from both ends. "The supplier" gets his money from the street-level sales. If you can choke off their money at the street-level, then it becomes less lucrative for the the mid and high level dealers.
A variety of techniques were used in the investigation to include undercover drug buys, surveillance and informants. The investigation identified 7 people who were instrumental in the street-level drug sales. Four of the seven individuals are known and confirmed Sureno gang members. While the remaining three were not gang members, they were part of the network of street-level drug sales and neighborhood intimidation. The arrested individuals are:
We all understand the concept of going after "the supplier", but in reality, you need to combat the problem from both ends. "The supplier" gets his money from the street-level sales. If you can choke off their money at the street-level, then it becomes less lucrative for the the mid and high level dealers.
A variety of techniques were used in the investigation to include undercover drug buys, surveillance and informants. The investigation identified 7 people who were instrumental in the street-level drug sales. Four of the seven individuals are known and confirmed Sureno gang members. While the remaining three were not gang members, they were part of the network of street-level drug sales and neighborhood intimidation. The arrested individuals are:
Juan Armando Silva –
26 yrs, Santa Cruz resident
Drug Sales
Sureno gang member
Manuel Huerta Silva –
27 yrs, Santa Cruz resident
Drug Sales, Drug Possession
Sureno gang member
Drug Sales, Drug Possession
Sureno gang member
Andrew Villa – 18
yrs, Santa Cruz resident
Drug Sales
Drug Sales
Sureno gang member
Jeremy Ochoa – 32
yrs, Aptos Resident
Drug Sales
Drug Sales
Rene Perez
Mendoza – 31 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident
Drug Sales
Edward Lujan
– 43 yrs, Santa Cruz Resident
Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute, Firearms Possession
Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute, Firearms Possession
Additionally,
an unnamed 17 year old juvenile, confirmed Sureno gang member on drug sales
charges.
The suspects have been arrested over the last two months of this program. In addition to the drug sales charges, appropriate gang enhancements were added. Their cases are currently winding their way through the Santa Cruz County courts.
This is part of an ongoing strategy to impact gangs and their funding sources. You can expect to hear from us about similar operations in the future.
The suspects have been arrested over the last two months of this program. In addition to the drug sales charges, appropriate gang enhancements were added. Their cases are currently winding their way through the Santa Cruz County courts.
This is part of an ongoing strategy to impact gangs and their funding sources. You can expect to hear from us about similar operations in the future.
