Gang Members Accused of Smuggling Drugs into Jail
WATSONVILLE—The Santa Cruz County Anti Crime Team (SCCACT) arrested several gang members after a two-week investigation revealed an elaborate scheme to smuggle drugs into the Santa Cruz County Jail.
Michael Gonzalez
On Thursday, December 13 at around 4:30 p.m. Watsonville police officers along with the Santa Cruz County Gang Task Force responded to a disturbance at the Discount Mall on Second Street in Watsonville.
When police arrived they found both Michael Gonzalez, 22, of Watsonville and Abraham Sanchez, 25, also of Watsonville loitering in the area. Both of these men were under investigation for the SCCACT case regarding the possible smuggling of drugs.
Both men were taken into custody for violating their terms of probation. The SCCACT team took over the investigation and conducted a cavity search of Gonzales. During the search it was revealed the Gonzalez was concealing several types of narcotics within his body.
Authorities found 28.9 grams of marijuana, 11.6 grams of black tar heroin, .6 grams of power cocaine and 4.7 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden inside Gonzalez’s rectum. The drugs were meticulously packaged so that they would not be contaminated or allowing the individual to overdose.
Abraham Sanchez
“Trying to smuggle drugs into local jails is quite common,” SCCACT Task Force Supervisor Eric Montalbo said. “Once inside, the drugs become worth 3 to 4 times more than what they would be on the streets.”
Both Gonzalez and Sanchez were not charged at that time as police continued their investigation. On December 19 the SCCACT team concluded its investigation and arrested Sanchez at the Santa Cruz County Jail as he was being released from the jail on the original violation of probation charge.
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San Jose Mercury News: Police Foil Attempt to Smuggle Drugs into Santa Cruz County Jail
