Sheriffs Raid Santa Maria Home, Find Drugs

Written by Estero Bay News

May 19, 2023

San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit detectives arrested a Santa Maria man on alleged narcotics violations and weapons and theft charges who was suspected of selling drugs in SLO County.

According to Sheriff’s spokesman, Tony Cipolla, Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 2 at a home in the 600 block of Agnes Ave., in Santa Maria’

“Detectives had information a resident of the home was suspected of selling narcotics in San Luis Obispo County,” Cipolla said. “During the search of the home and an associated vehicle, Detectives discovered a 9mm handgun as well as a .22-caliber rifle that had been reported stolen out of Nipomo. Additionally, a large quantity of heroin was found.

Cipolla said more than 166 grams or some 5.92 ounces of suspected heroin were discovered in the search. “The estimated street value of the heroin if sold by the gram,” Cipolla said, “would total approximately $10,000 to $13,000.”

The suspect, identified as Michael Frenklin Santiago, 26 of Santa Maria, was arrested and charged with suspicion of “possession for sale of a controlled substance,” Cipolla said, “and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm.” He added that the charges would be filed with the District Attorney’s Office.

The photo shows the baggie of heroin and a handgun and rifle seized in a raid in Santa Maria.

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