Cocaine bricks, $14,000 in seized cash (Marin County Major Crimes Task Force)
MARIN COUNTY – Five suspected drug dealers were arrested on September 21, resulting from an investigation initiated by the Marin County Major Crimes Task Force, working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and Sonoma counties.
Investigators received information about narcotics trafficking in several Marin County cities, and launched an undercover sting operation in the Canal district of San Rafael.
Law enforcement agents made approximately 21 purchases of illicit drugs from nine individuals—totaling 2 pounds of cocaine and 6 ounces of methamphetamines.
meth (Marin County Major Crimes Task Force)
When agents determined identities of the drug suppliers, a large transaction was arranged in the Canal district, and police arrested Maria Aleman, 41 of San Rafael, Hugo H. Sanchez, 29, and his brother Marcos A. Sanchez, 35, both of Petaluma.
Approximately three-quarters of a pound of cocaine and several ounces of methamphetamines were located and seized from the vehicle being used by Aleman and the Sanchez brothers at the time of their arrest.
In addition, search warrants were served for coordinated raids at three residences in Marin and Sonoma counties, where nearly 5 pounds of cocaine and an 1/8 of an ounce of methamphetamines were found, along with $16,000 in cash, and a handgun.
Two other suspects also arrested were 34-year-old Otto Rene Lopez Solorzano, and 32-year-old Wilmer Audelio Maldonado Barrios, both of San Rafael.
All five suspects were booked for possession of narcotics for sale, transportation of narcotics for sale, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Police said additional arrests are possible in this ongoing investigation.
Agencies participating in this drug trafficking sweep included the Marin County Sheriff’s Department, San Rafael and Novato police departments, special task forces from Napa, Richmond and Santa Rosa, agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency in Oakland and Santa Rosa, and other government agencies.
