Citizen Tip Leads to Online Xanax Drug Sale
Santa Barbara County Sheriff released the following information:
During the week of October 28, Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives received a citizen tip regarding a suspicious posting on Craisglist.com, an internet website that appeared to be advertising prescription medication for sale.
As result of this information, the Sheriff’s South County Narcotics Unit opened an investigation. During the ensuing investigation, detectives established communications with the suspect, who was subsequently identified as 21 year old Isla Vista resident Gabriel Yanowitz.
On October 31, Yanowitz offered to sell Sheriff’s Narcotics Detectives 1,000 Xanax pills. Our detectives met with Yanowitz in the Isla Vista area. Upon establishing that Yanowitz was in possession of the Xanax pills and was attempting to sell the pills, he was taken into custody.
With the assistance of deputies assigned to the Isla Vista Foot Patrol, our investigators determined there was a second suspect who was present in the immediate area and was also involved in the unlawful sales of prescription drugs.
Our detectives determined that 19-year-old Santa Barbara resident Tyler Peltier was supplying Yanowitz with bulk Xanax to sell in the Isla Vista community.
Subsequent to the arrests, a search warrant was served at Yanowitz’ apartment in the 6700 block of Del Playa Drive where 200 Xanax pills and narcotics paraphernalia were located.
An additional search was also conducted at Peltier’s residence in the 700 block of N. La Cumbre Road in Santa Barbara. Peltier was found to be in possession of 1,100 more Xanax pills. In total, approximately 2,300 Xanax pills were seized, with an estimated potential street value in excess of $16,000.
Based upon the investigation and evidence obtained, Yanowitz and Peltier were arrested for violations of 11351 H&S, possession for sale of a controlled substance, 11352 H&S, transportation of a controlled substance, and 182 PC, conspiracy to sell/transport a controlled substance.
Both were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail with bail set at $30,000.
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