Dozens Charged in Santa Maria Valley Gang, Drug, Gun Bust
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department says its Special Investigations Bureau has been working the illegal drug and firearms operation for the past few years.
Calling it a complex investigation, the Sheriff’s Department says it involved undercover federal agents working with local law enforcement in targeting gang members, narcotics dealers and illegal firearm sales in the Santa Maria Valley.
The Sheriff’s Department says the arrest of 49 year old Jose Munoz of Santa Maria along the 600 block of West Morrison Avenue on May 26 for an oustanding warrant for methamphetamine sales officially brought the multi-year operation to a close.
During the course of the investigation, the Sheriff’s Department says undercover agents purchased narcotics and firearms from multiple people in the Santa Maria Valley.
Law enforcement officers arrested 38 suspects, seized 45 firearms, 11,109 rounds of ammunition, 14.6 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $661,380.00, 2.1 pounds of heroin with a street value of $95,130.00, 167 grams of cocaine with a street value of $30,040.00, and $84,698 in currency was seized as a result of illegal narcotic and firearms sales.
Suspects Charged with State Charges:
Alex Ausan, 36 of Santa Maria Firearm Violations
Carmelo Ayala, 38 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Daniel Deleon, 38 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
David Galvan, 56 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Gabriel Estrada, 37 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Gonesico Olivas, 66 of Taft Narcotic and Gang Violations
Griselda Diaz, 31 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Ivan Jasso, 20 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Gang Violations
Jennifer Agic, 31 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Joanna Savoy, 35 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Jonathan Chavez, 24 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Gang Violations
Jonathan Zaranda, 23 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Gang Violations
Jose Munoz, 49, of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Juanita Gonzales, 43 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Juan Juarez, 25 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Gang Violations
Maryzela Ayala, 36 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Monica Guerrero, 27 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Melissa Fuentes, 32 of Buellton Narcotic Violations
Ramiro Pizano, 39 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Richard Flowers, 28 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Richard Sierra, 25 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Rigoberto Castillo, 25 of Nipomo Narcotic and Gang Violations
Rosamaria Alvarado, 24 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Gang Violations
Steven Rincon, 38 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Gang Violations
Steven Vega, 25 of Santa Maria Narcotic and Firearm Violations
Tameka Lewis, 37 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Suspects Charged with Federal Charges:
Alfred Plaza, 53 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Andre Sanchez, 27 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Angel Herrera, 43 of Santa Maria Firearm and Narcotic Violations
Christopher Estrada, 26 of Santa Maria Firearm and Narcotic Violations
Daniel Hanson,24 of Santa Maria Firearm Violations
Darold Oliva, 44 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Gary Hanson, 59 of Santa Maria Firearm Violations
Jose Espinoza, 36 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Margret Ponce, 44 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Steve Aguilar, 54 of Santa Maria Firearm Violations
Thomas Allen, 30 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Yesenia Herrera, 24 of Santa Maria Narcotic Violations
Assisting the Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Bureau in the multi-year, operation were federal agents from the DEA, ATF and the IRS.
The Sheriff’s department says of the 38 people arrested, some are now in state prison, others are still going through the court process while others have had their cases heard in court and adjudicated.
The Sheriff’s Department says the agencies involved chose not to release information to the public sooner due to the on-going investiation and the fact that others were still be sought.
