“Violence Suppression Task Force continues it’s full court press against gangs & drugs”
Photo: from the August 27 arrest
SALINAS – The Violence Suppression Task Force (VSTF) turned up the heat recently in Salinas in an effort against gangs and drugs, as seen in four incidents.
First, on August 27, officers served a search warrant on a residence in the 1400 block of Emerald Drive. They “located a shotgun, cocaine, Xanax, and a butane honey oil lab.” They also took an active gang member into custody, charging him with felon in possession of a firearm and maintaining a honey oil lab.
from August 29 arrest
Second, on August 29, served another warrant, this time at a residence in the Laurel Tree Apartments on Monroe Street. There, officers “located an unregistered loaded Glock handgun, over 500 rounds of ammunition, a stolen police ballistic vest, half ounce of cocaine that was possessed for sales, and over 7000 dollars in cash.” 40-year-old active gang member Joey Salinas “with charges ranging from felon in possession of a firearm to sales of cocaine.”
Third, on August 30, officers conducted a follow-up visit to the Cambridge Court Apartments that they visited last week. An unnamed active gang member was arrested. This time “Officers located another 80 percent unregistered Glock handgun and over 900 dollars in cash.” The charges in this third incident are conspiracy to sell cocaine, conspiracy to sell a firearm and other weapons charges.
Fourth, on September 1 in Chinatown, officers spotted an active gang member who is on probation. The man took off running when officers attempted to contact him. He left behind his tent with a loaded sawed-off shotgun in it.
In addition, officers tried to contact two other gang members. One of the two was wanted, and he ran away but was caught later.
Law enforcement’s work continues on the streets of Salinas.
