Drug Dealer Hides Cash and Narcotics at Employer’s Tire Shop

Drug Dealer Hides Cash and Narcotics at Employer’s Tire Shop

Carpinteria – In the early weeks of 2014, Santa Barbara Police Department Narcotics Unit officers became aware of the activities of Renee Albert Zuniga, a 31-year-old Ventura resident.  Based upon their ongoing investigation into an uptick in both wholesale and direct-to-consumer street sales of methamphetamine, Zuniga was placed under surveillance for a period of nearly three months.

During this protracted period of investigation, SBPD Narcotics Unit personnel engaged with Santa Barbara County Sheriffs and determined that Zuniga—who was now suspected of selling drugs to other dealers in the area—was “storing his drugs at his place of employment, Beach Motor & Tires” in Carpinteria, according to Sgt Riley Harwood, Public Information Officer for the SBPD.  Indications of this were strong enough to allow narcotics detectives the provision of a search warrant for Zuniga’s workplace, and when members of SBSD and SBPD arrived at the tire retailer with a K-9 team just after the lunch hour on March 25th, they discovered “roughly 6 ounces of heroin and 9 grams of methamphetamine valued at approximately $9,000” on the premises along with more than $50,000 in cash.

Zuniga's employer and co-workers were no doubt surprised to have a search warrant served at the shop.

Zuniga’s employer and co-workers were no doubt surprised to have a search warrant served at the shop.

All the contraband and illicit drugs were immediately seized and Zuniga was summarily taken into custody and arrested on charges of possession of heroin for sale and possession of methamphetamine for sale.  He was transported directly to Santa Barbara County Jail where he was booked with bail of $30,000 on the drug charges, and remains held on a no-bail parole hold.

Photo: Courtesy Santa Barbara County Jail Booking

Read more:

KCOY: Drug bust at family business

KSBY: Man accused of selling drugs in SB County arrested

Drug Dealer Hides Cash and Narcotics at Employer’s Tire Shop was last modified: January 14th, 2019 by admin
Categories: Santa Barbara

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