Crime & Safety
Police Bust 2 During Sonoma County Heroin Distribution Investigation
A police investigation into Sonoma County heroin distribution culminated in the arrest of two men in Santa Rosa on Wednesday.
SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A police narcotics investigation culminated in the arrest of two men Wednesday in Santa Rosa, police said.
In February, Santa Rosa Police Department detectives began investigating the sale and distribution of heroin in Sonoma County.
Investigators learned that a suspect was selling heroin in the Santa Rosa area, and the supplier was possibly based in Stockton, police said.
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On Wednesday, detectives conducted a surveillance operation and learned that a suspect was traveling to Santa Rosa. Once there, they saw the suspect drive onto Timothy Road near Roseland University Prep High School located at 100 Sebastopol Road.
According to police, detectives saw the suspect enter an apartment that they believed to have narcotics and saw him leave a short time later.
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The suspect entered a vehicle, and when he was a safe distance from the school, detectives stopped him.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Armando Hildago Sandoval, was allegedly in possession of about $20,000. His passengers included a woman and his two children, who were in close proximity to heroin he was transporting in the passenger compartment, police said.
In the meantime, detectives saw another suspect exit the apartment on Timothy Road. The suspect saw a patrol car and began pacing around, then threw a large plastic bag onto the porch. It appeared to detectives that the suspect was getting ready to flee the scene.
Detectives moved in and detained the suspect without incident. The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Gerardo Reyes Vasquez, was allegedly in possession of three-quarters of a pound of heroin. During a search of his apartment, detectives found more than two pounds of additional heroin that was easily accessible to four minors, police said.
Vazquez and Sandoval were arrested on suspicion of various drug-related offenses and booked into Sonoma County Jail. Both men have prior convictions.
An investigation revealed that Sandoval was the leader of a trafficking organization and facilitated drug transactions between customers and Vazquez, police said.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Santa Rosa police at (707) 543-3600.
By Bay City News/Image via Shutterstock
