SBSD display Vasquez’ stash
Santa Barbara County – An ongoing investigation conducted by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department Special Investigations Bureau came to an end early in the morning of November 2nd when—with search warrants targeting separate Goleta suspects and their residences—deputies detained their suspects in apparently routine traffic stops while those warrant searches were conducted.
According to SBSD Public Information Officer Kelly Hoover, Goleta residents 38-year-old Jacinto Vasquez and 25-year-old Mercedes Martinez were the subjects of an investigation in connection with their activities involving the ongoing sales of methamphetamine.
When Vasquez was detained “as he drove away from his residence,” he was carrying more than $8,000 in cash. The subsequent search of his home revealed more than an ounce of methamphetamine packaged for sale along with more cash totaling in excess of $7,000.
While Vasquez was being trucked off to jail, Martinez was pulled over by flashing red lights while driving southbound on U.S. 101. Inside her car was “over an ounce of methamphetamine,” while the concurrent search of her home led detectives to the discovery of more than $85,000 “in cash hidden within the residence.”
The searches of the two residences involved the questioning of multiple other individuals, none of whom were believed to have been involved in the sales of methamphetamine.
With more than two ounces of methamphetamine packaged for sale and more than $100,000 in cash involved, both Vasquez and Martinez were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine for sale with their bail set at $1,000,000.
Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Sheriff
