A 23-month long investigation hit its stride in Hollister early
Wednesday as law enforcement agencies arrested 15 people during
raids on federal and state warrants for drug, vehicle theft and
weapons offenses.
Hollister – A 23-month long investigation hit its stride in Hollister early Wednesday as law enforcement agencies arrested 15 people during raids on federal and state warrants for drug, vehicle theft and weapons offenses.
During the investigation, 25 illegal guns were confiscated and 10 stolen cars were recovered, officials said. About 14 pounds of methamphetamine, 105 grams of cocaine and 376 grams of marijuana were seized in the investigation, said moderator Nina Delgadillo, a public information officer for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Sheriff Curtis Hill said drug, vehicle theft and weapons crimes – which often are the work of gangs in San Benito County – affect the entire Central Coast region.
“Crooks are crooks,” Hill said. “They’re not paying attention to jurisdictional lines.”
Dubbed “Operation Steal Curtain,” the investigation was a collaboration between the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the California Department of Justice; the California Department of Insurance; the California Highway Patrol; the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office; and the Hollister Police Department.
About 90 officers from those agencies – along with the FBI, San Benito County Probation Department and District Attorney’s Office – took part in the raids. Teams of law enforcement personnel maneuvered in and around Hollister to arrest suspects and search their residents.
Law enforcement officials addressed reporters during a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the County Administrative Office in Hollister.
Hollister Police Chief Jeff Miller said the arrests Wednesday were smooth, quick and without incident.
One of the weapons seized, an SKS assault-style weapon with an attached bayonet, was similar to the weapon used to kill 16-year-old Salinas resident Angel Romeo in June on Chappell Road in Hollister, Miller said.
“These are the types of weapons that are on the street in our community,” Miller said, holding up the rifle for reporters.
The chief said arrests and investigations into such activities will continue.
“Despite the success of this operation, we must not let our guard down,” Miller said.
Capt. Nick Norton, of the CHP coastal division’s special services, said stolen vehicles often cross county lines. Norton said dealers will use stolen vehicles to transport drugs. Once the drugs are moved, criminals often dump the vehicles, Norton said.
“They try and stay a step ahead of law enforcement,” Norton said.
Aside from drug running, stolen vehicles are often used for income, Norton said. Vehicles recovered during the investigation were worth up to $200,000, he said.
In 2005, there were 161 vehicles reported stolen in Hollister, Miller said. In 2006, there were 135. And as of Wednesday, there have been 81 vehicles reported stolen this year, he said.
“Hollister has an auto theft problem,” Miller said.
Hill said if suspects are convicted on federal charges, the county will be safer.
“There’s nothing better than getting someone convicted on a federal crime because they go away for a long time,” Hill said.
Delgadillo said evidence obtained, along with a suspect’s background, can warrant federal charges. Certain suspects arrested on state warrants could face federal prosecution if charges are elevated.
Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios said the district attorney’s office will work with agencies to ensure prosecution of suspects arrested Wednesday on state charges.
“We look forward to making sure that the individuals who were arrested are prosecuted to the fullest extent,” Palacios said.
The arrests were the result of months of dangerous undercover work, such as buying weapons and drugs, said Bob Cooke, a special agent in charge of the California DOJ’s bureau of narcotic enforcement.
“This is an outstanding example of what we can do when we pool our resources,” said Cooke, former commander of the San Benito County-based Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team.
