Search Warrant Leads to Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale Arrest

In July 2023, the SRPD Narcotics Team began an investigation into a drug trafficking organization (DTO). This organization used “runners” to distribute large amounts of methamphetamine in Santa Rosa and its surrounding areas.

"Runners" are individuals employed within a DTO strictly for the purpose of making deliveries of drugs and picking up money. “Runners” are the most vulnerable within the DTO and face the constant risk of being arrested.  Bosses of DTO`s utilize “runners” to lessen the chance of them being implicated in narcotic distribution.

During this investigation, detectives identified 37-year-old Santa Rosa resident, Antonio Ibarra-Mendoza, as a “runner” for this organization. Ibarra-Mendoza also had an outstanding Sonoma County warrant for his arrest for drug sales from 2014.

On 10/30/23, at approximately 0945 hours, detectives from the SRPD Narcotics Team and patrol officers executed the service of a search warrant in the 3500 block of Moorland Av in Santa Rosa. Detectives detained Ibarra-Mendoza, pursuant to the search warrant, on the property without incident.

Detectives searched the property, residence, and vehicles pursuant to the search warrant and located approximately one pound of suspected methamphetamine that was packaged for sale.

Ibarra-Mendoza was arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail for the following violations:

• 11378 H&S – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sale
• Felony arrest warrant for drug sales from 2014