Santa Cruz Gang Member Arrested On Suspicion Of Drug, Firearm Offenses

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Agents with a regional task force arrested a suspected gang member Friday in Santa Cruz for allegedly possessing drugs and firearms. At 11:30 a.m., agents from the Santa Cruz County Anti Crime Team, with help from Santa Cruz police, served a search warrant at the home of 25-year-old Javier Rodriguez Diaz in the 600 block of Riverside Avenue in Santa Cruz.

According to the task force, the search warrant recovered 345 grams of heroin with a street value of over $25,000. Agents also recovered more than $20,000 in cash and a loaded .45-caliber firearm. An investigation revealed that Diaz paid cash for a 2008 BMW worth more than $11,000. Agents seized the cash and the BMW as possible profits from the sales of narcotics.

According to the task force, Diaz is a known gang participant. He was arrested on suspicion of numerous drug, firearm and gang-related offenses.

Anyone with information about the case or other gang or drug-related activity is asked to call the Santa Cruz County Anti Crime Team at (831) 454-2320.

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By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch