Grammar School Drug Sales

by F. Scott Faulkner , May 14, 2013

Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara’s Franklin Elementary School, located just blocks north of “Eastsider” gang territory, appears to have been fertile ground for narcotics sales over the past several weeks. According to Santa Barbara Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Riley Harwood, detectives from the SBPD Narcotics Unit began a three-week investigation in the area pursuant to “a citizen’s complaint of suspected drug sales in and around a residence” that sits just 178 feet from the grammar school.

Gabriel Eduardo Alvarez

The investigation allowed detectives to observe Gabriel Eduardo Alvarez, 20, Manuel Carlos Cabrera, 20, and Lisa Ybarra, 43, as they entered and exited the school grounds and made contact with several students outside of the classroom buildings. A search warrant for all three suspects—each reputed to have local gang affiliation–was obtained and served upon Alvarez as he attempted to drive away from his residence. At that time, he was found to be in possession of hashish oil and was taken back to his house where detectives stood by in preparation for a full-scale residential search. According to Harwood’s report to the media, it was at that time that Cabrera, Ybarra, and an unnamed juvenile were “found locked inside the room shared by Alvarez and his girlfriend,” which prompted the detectives to “breach” the door and take the occupants into custody.

Manuel Cabrera

When initially contacted, Cabrera tried to dispose of an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine, as did Ybarra. Both were additionally found to be in possession of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, assorted drug paraphernalia, and more than $3,000 in cash.

Lisa Ybarra

All three were booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of heroin for sale, manufacture of a controlled substance, transportation of marijuana, possession of cocaine, and additional charges related to drug sales, with bail set at $30,000 each.

Photos: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking

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Grammar School Drug Sales was last modified: January 14th, 2019 by admin