by F. Scott Faulkner
September 11, 2026 – Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo Counties, CA
A suspected drug operation tied to Santa Barbara County’s “Nipomo 13” gang using
local area businesses to sell narcotics has been broken up.
A lengthy investigation into drug sales conducted by the Nipomo gang, who were believed to be
operating out of a restaurant in Arroyo Grande and a barbershop in Nipomo, brought
brought together agencies from three counties and two states, including
the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, SLO Regional SWAT Team,
Santa Maria Police Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and Portland
Police Bureau.
On September 10 and 11, search warrants led authorities to seize approximately 2.2
kilograms of cocaine with an estimated value of $220,000. Detectives also recovered
25 firearms, more than $60,000 in cash and additional evidence related to narcotics
sales and gang activity.
The evidence gathered led to the arrest of Nipomo residents:
Robert Ramirez, 43
Josef Ramirez, 27
Emmanuel SilvaSerna, 33
Efren Rodriguez, 31
and Alonzo Quintana Castillo, 33
Also arrested were:
Esteban CarrilloGomez, 31, of Grover Beach
Rolando Belmontez, 41, of Santa Maria
Carlos Jovani Torres, 36, of Portland, Oregon
Carlos Antonio Torres, 67, of Santa Maria
and Joseph Silva, 31, of Orcutt
All 10 were taken into custody and booked on multiple drug and weapons charges
including felony child endangerment, sales of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet
of a school, possession of assault weapons, maintaining a location for the sale and use
of a controlled substance, and active participation in a criminal street gang.
All those arrested remain in custody on no-bail holds.
