Photo shows the arsenal of rifles and pistols, mound of cash and cocaine seized by the Sheriff’s Department in a recent gang bust in Nipomo. Submitted photo
The Sheriff’s Gang Task Force conducted a major sweep of suspected gang members and drug dealers, scooping up 10 men from South County and confiscating cash and an arsenal of weapons.
Sheriff’s Spokesman Tony Cipolla announced Sept. 11 that the GTF and other investigators had concluded a lengthy investigation and made the arrests of suspected members of Nipomo 13, a criminal street gang in Nipomo and Santa Maria.
“On Sept. 10 and 11,” Cipolla said in a news release, “Detectives from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Detail [SWAT], with assistance from several other law enforcement agencies including the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department and the Portland Ore., PD arrested multiple individuals on outstanding arrest warrants.
“The arrests are the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force.”
He said the investigation centered on suspected sales of illegal drugs “that benefitted the Nipomo 13 criminal street gang based in San Luis Obispo County,” Cipolla said. “The investigation also uncovered information regarding a conspiracy to sell controlled substances from two businesses, Munchiez 805 restaurant located in rural Arroyo Grande and Head Liners barbershop located in Nipomo.”
The moniker “13” when affixed to a gang’s name, connotes an affiliation with MS 13, the multi-national gang from Mexico and Central America.
GTF’s search warrants led to the seizure of 2.2 kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of $220,000; 25 firearms; $60,426 in cash; “along with evidence related to drug sales and gang activity.”
After the seizures, Cipolla said, GTF detectives then identified suspected co-conspirators, conducting interviews, reviewing social media and cell phone evidence, analyzed surveillance video,” and more. The arrested men are:
• Rolando Belmontez, 41 of Santa Maria. Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
• Robert Ramirez, 43 of Nipomo. Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
• Josef Ramirez, 27 of Nipomo. Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
• Carlos Jovani Torres, 36 of Portland, Ore. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1 kilogram.
• Carlos Antonio Torres, 67 of Santa Maria. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1 kilogram.
• Emmanuel SilvaSerna, 33 of Nipomo. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1 kilogram.
• Efren Rodriguez, 31 of Nipomo. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1 kilogram.
• Alonzo QuintanaCastillo, 33 of Nipomo. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1kilo.
• Joseph Silva, 31 of Orcutt. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1 kilo.
• Esteban CarrilloGomez, 31 of Grover Beach. Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than 1 kilogram.
But investigators aren’t done charging some of the men. Cipolla explained that GTF detectives are seeking additional charges of “felony child endangerment, sales of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of assault weapons, maintaining a location for the sale and use of a controlled substance, and active participation in a criminal street gang,” with potentially more charges to come.
He did not say which of the arrestees could have these additional charges added to their legal woes.
