Narcotics Arrests

Three Santa Barbara gang members were arrested late last month after a two-month investigation by the Narcotics Unit of the Santa Barbara Police Department.

On August 29, with a narcotics search warrant, detectives searched the cars and home of Sergio Sanchez, 19, on the 1200 block of Punta Gorda Street. Sanchez, 19-year-old Aaron Nevarez, and an 18-year-old male were stopped as they were about to drive away from the house.

Police found 2.2 ounces of cocaine, 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine, $13,000 in cash, and a loaded .22 caliber handgun. Nevarez, out on probation for a felony, was found with 3 grams of hashish oil. The 18-year-old male was wanted for violating his juvenile probation.

Sanchez was arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on $30,000 bail. He was charged with possession of cocaine for sale, possession of methamphetamine for sale, participation in a criminal street gang, being an addict in possession of a firearm, using a firearm in the commission of a felony, and being armed with a firearm while in possession of narcotics for sale.

Nevarez was also arrested and booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail. He was charged with possession and transportation of concentrated cannabis. His bail was set at $20,000.

The 18-year-old — whose name is not being released because his probation was for a crime committed while he was underage — was arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall.