Gang Member Found with Drugs and Loaded Tech-9

Goleta - November 17th, 2011

On Monday November 14, 2011, an investigation by the Narcotics and Gang Units in the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau led to a search and arrest warrant service in the 200 block of Savona Avenue within the city of Goleta.

With the assistance of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team (S.E.T.), the suspect and alleged gang member, Ricardo Javier Romo (DOB 9/29/81) was arrested near his residence.

The search warrant yielded over one ounce of methamphetamine packaged for sales, gang indicia, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded Luger AP9 Automatic Assault Pistol, also known as a TEC-9.  There was a magazine inserted in the TEC-9, which contained 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Romo was booked into Santa Barbara County Jail with bail requested at $250,000 for the following violations: possession of an assault weapon (12280(b) PC), possession of methamphetamine for sale (11378 H&S), possession of a controlled substance while armed (11370.1 H&S), possession of narcotic paraphernalia (11364 H&S), possession of less than an ounce of marijuana (11357(b) H&S), criminal street gang activity (186.22(a) PC), and committing a felony for the benefit of a street gang (186.22(b)(1) PC).

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