Three Hollister men are facing possible felony narcotics charges
for allegedly running a drug selling operation about a block away
from San Benito High School.
Three Hollister men are facing possible felony narcotics charges for allegedly running a drug selling operation about a block away from San Benito High School.
Jose Garcia, 23, of 530 Suiter St. was arrested on suspicion of three counts of selling methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, child endangerment and possession of marijuana, according to jail records.
Daniel Garcia, 27, of 271 Gonzales Drive was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and violation of parole.
Andrew Cottrell, 25, of 2320 Fairview Road was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
All three were arrested by undercover drug agents with the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team at the conclusion of a three-month covert investigation, UNET Commander Bob Cooke said in a written statement.
The Nov. 8 arrests happened when UNET agents reportedly infiltrated the drug-dealing operation and bought two ounces of methamphetamine from Jose Garcia at his home, Cooke said.
Garcia was arrested following the transaction and UNET agents obtained a search warrant for his home, where they reportedly found his 2-year-old child unattended along with another ounce of methamphetamine, half an ounce of marijuana and two marijuana plants in his kitchen and washroom, Cooke said.
While searching the house, agents reportedly found Jose Garcia’s cousin, Daniel, hiding near other drugs and the marijuana plants in the washroom area.
Just before agents finished their search, Cottrell arrived at the home and was arrested almost immediately when agents noticed that he appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, Cooke said.
Agents searched Cottrell’s car and reportedly found approximately a half an ounce of methamphetamine, Cooke said.
While Jose Garcia’s wife is not considered a suspect in the case, the county’s Child Protective Services removed the couple’s two children from the home pending a review of their living and safety conditions.
