After a months-long investigation, a team of law enforcement officials announced the successful apprehension of five people believed to be part of a North County methamphetamine trafficking organization.
On Aug. 31, members of the Santa Maria Police Department’s Narcotics Suppression Team arrested Santa Maria residents Felipe Mincitar Hurtado, 26; Rafael Oseguera, 26; Luis Carlos Najera, 36; Rene Ramirez Perez, 31; and Eduardo Ramirez Carizal, 34. The department received assistance in its investigation from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
During the raid, law enforcement agents seized 471 grams of meth, 9 grams of cocaine, five handguns (one of which was stolen), two shotguns, a large quantity of ammunition, and more than $20,000 in U.S. currency. Police estimate the street value of the meth and cocaine at $48,000.
According to a press release from the Santa Maria department, the group was allegedly
obtaining large quantities of meth from Northern California and distributing it in Santa Maria.
All five people were arrested on suspicion of acts associated with the sale and distribution of meth and firearms-related violations, and were booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail.
As of press time, the suspects remained in custody, and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office had yet to file any official charges.
This article appears in Sep 8-15, 2011.
