Father, Son Arrested In Watsonville 'Drug House' Investigation

WATSONVILLE, CA — A weeks-long investigation into an alleged "drug house" on Lawrence Avenue has led to the arrest of a father and son, and the seizure of approximately $200,000 worth of illegal marijuana plants and products, the Watsonville Police Department reported Friday.

Elias Gutierrez, 47, and Eli Gutierrez, 26, were taken into custody Thursday morning. Their arrests came after Watsonville police officers served a high-risk search warrant at their Lawrence Avenue home on Aug. 9, following numerous complaints from residents about drug sales. During the search warrant, nearly 100 illegal marijuana plants and dozens of marijuana products — such as edibles, joints, and vapor pens — were seized. police said.

During the investigation, it was discovered that the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office found an illegal marijuana grow belonging to the father and son. Monterey deputies seized about 200 marijuana plants during that raid, according to the Watsonville PD.

Watsonville police also allege the Gutierrez home on Lawrence Avenue was the site of at least two violent confrontations involving drugs sales and firearms. In July 2018, the home was the center of a murder investigation after two armed men entered the residence and stole a large amount of cash and marijuana from Eli.

Eli and his father opened fire as the armed suspects ran away from the residence. One of the armed robbers, a 32-year-old man, died in the home's driveway.

Prior to the murder investigation, WPD detectives were investigating a shooting that happened in front of the home while Eli was selling marijuana, according to police.

Eli was arrested for murder in December of 2018, but was released after posting $1 million bail. Since his release, he and his father have continued with their illegal drug activity, according to police.

The father and son are currently being held in Santa Cruz County Jail, and are both facing charges for unlawful sales, possession and cultivation of marijuana, and maintaining a drug house. They are also expected to face drug charges in Monterey County, according to Watsonville police.