3 Street Vendors Arrested, Accused Of Selling Drugs In Santa Rosa

SANTA ROSA, CA — A monthslong investigation by narcotics detectives in Santa Rosa led to the arrests of three street vendors who face several allegations related to selling cocaine and methamphetamine, according to police.

In a news release Monday, police said Santa Rosa detectives launched an investigation into suspected cocaine detailing back in April. The investigation revealed a suspect in the case who police identified as Victor Martinez-Diaz, 49, of Santa Rosa. In June, an undercover detective bought one gram of cocaine from him in the area of West 9th Street, police said.

Further investigation revealed that Martinez-Diaz worked as a mobile street vendor, using a tricycle with storage containers and coolers to sell treats to kids and adults. Police said he sold legal and illegal items from the same location near an elementary school.

That same month, detectives saw two men enter a white van, which police pulled over to execute a search warrant. Police identified the men inside as Jose Cazares, 21, and Marcos-Ambrosio-Cortes, 29, both of Santa Rosa.

Detectives said the van had two street vendor bicycles inside with various food items, along with a fanny pack containing a loaded handgun and several baggies of cocaine. Another search of a van associated with Martinez-Diaz revealed another street vendor bicycle, along with cocaine, methamphetamine, cash and a scale, police alleged.

Additional search warrants led investigators to additional ammunition and currency. Police said more than $10,000 was confiscated from the searches.

The three men were booked into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of multiple offenses, including conspiracy and possession and transportation of a controlled substance.