Three adults arrested on suspicion of possession of illegal
substances and intent to sell them
Morgan Hill – An early morning search of a home on Del Monte Avenue by Morgan Hill Police officers assisted by members of the Unified Narcotic Enforcement Team (UNET) led to the arrest of three adults, as drugs, cash, firearms and gang items were found in the residence.
Bonifacio Cruz, 47, his wife, Laura Cruz, 52 and a tenant of the home, Victorino Morales, 38, were booked into Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of alleged possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of marijuana for sale and possession of cocaine for sale. Bonifacio may face additional charges, including alleged possession of firearms during the commission of a felony and possession of bladed weapons.
Police were alerted to the possibility of parole violation when they learned of a party involving alleged gang members at the Cruz home at 16840 Del Monte Ave. during a routine traffic stop, according to MHPD Cmdr. Joe Sampson.
As they investigated, police discovered that Cruz was on probation for narcotics charges.
Officers planned a probation search of the residence and alerted UNET.
About 8am, Tuesday morning, officers detained six people at the residence, including the three who were arrested. They then searched the Cruz home, and found a Baretta 9mm handgun, an Intratech Tech .22 semi-automatic, 162 rounds of ammunition and two Japanese martial arts bladed weapons known as Kamas.
During their search, officers also found alleged Sureño gang items. The drugs found in the home were in quantities that would indicate the Cruz couple and Morales were going to sell them. Officers found a pound of marijuana with packaging materials, 27 grams of methamphetamine, .69 grams of cocaine and a two-pound block of a cocaine-cutting agent. There were also records of drug sales and more than $12,000 in the home, Sampson said.
Estimated value of the drugs that were packaged for sale is about $1,100 total: $600 in methamphetamine, $500 in marijuana and $60 in cocaine.
Sampson said the Cruz’s two adult children and one teenager were also in the home. Luis Cruz, 20, and Eusebio Cruz, 18, were released pending further investigation. The 15-year-old son was taken into protective custody, and juvenile services will handle his case.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
