Drug bust may have ties to a Santa Paula business

A drug sting links back to a Santa Paula business, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

For the last several months the Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit has been investigating a drug trafficking organization believed to be operating in their county. Throughout the investigation, they have made numerous arrests and seized narcotics and firearms.

On May 26, 2017, the County Narcotic Street Team arrested Hugo Martinez Gomez, 31, of Ventura. The investigation led to Gomez after it was discovered he was supplying cocaine to a local Santa Paula business, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Earlier this year detectives said they received a tip that drugs were being sold from the Santa Paula Auto Center located at 1055 E. Main Street. An investigation found the owner of the business and his associates were organizing shipments of meth and cocaine to the business, according to investigators, and that Gomez was the suspected supplier.

On May 26, 2017, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 100 block of East Ramona Street. During the search authorities say 2 ounces of cocaine and methamphetamine, scales and packaging were found. Gomez was arrested the same day.

Gomez faces charges of possessing narcotics for sale and offering to sell narcotics. He is in custody with bail set at $50,000.