Hollister
– A suspected Norteño drug dealer was arrested Friday morning
after $9,600 worth of methamphetamine was found hidden in his
home.
Hollister – A suspected Norteño drug dealer was arrested Friday morning after $9,600 worth of methamphetamine was found hidden in his home.
Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team agents working with deputies from the San Benito County Sheriff’s Department arrested Cesar Hernandez, 25, on a host of felony drug and weapons charges during a pre-dawn raid of Hernandez’s home at 621 Chaparral Court in Hollister.
Agents found 90 grams of pure crystal methamphetamine, 14 grams of cocaine and two sawed-off shotguns, UNET Commander Mark Colla said.
Hernandez was alerted to the 7am raid by two police scanners and a surveillance camera in his bedroom, agents said.
Colla said the suspect attempted to hide the drugs under his father’s bed and ran into the bathroom before agents broke in the door to the home. Police recovered the meth from under the bed.
In the suspect’s bedroom, agents found $1,400 worth of cocaine, surveillance equipment and gang clothing, Colla said.
Two sawed-off shotguns were found in the attic of the home, he said.
Colla said the suspect denied knowing anything about the guns.
Colla said agents have yet to determine whether the weapons were used in any crimes.
Hernandez is a documented member of the Norteño street gang and is suspected of selling the drugs for the benefit of the gang, Colla said.
Police suspect a battle between rival factions of the Norteño street gang over turf and control of drug sales is behind the recent outbreak of gang violence in Hollister.
Colla said the seizure about 1,800 doses of methamphetamine would put a dent in local drug sales.
Hernandez is being held at the San Benito County Jail in lieu of $86,000 bail. He was charged with two counts of felony possession of a controlled substance for sale and two counts of possession of an illegal weapon. If convicted of possession of methamphetamine for sale, he could face up to four years in prison.
Brett Rowland is the city editor of the Hollister Free Lance. He can be reached at br******@fr***********.com
