Drug bust in Santa Cruz, 5 men arrested

Five men were arrested Friday for possession of Heroin and evidence of heroin distribution, according to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team.

Officers were conducting a probation compliance check on Juan Chavez-Orlandes, 35, on the 1400 block of East Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Task force officers did not find Chavez-Orlandes but instead found four men in a separate part of the business with heroin sitting out in the open.

Task force officers with the help of Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Deputies served a search warrant and found half a pound of heroin, with the street value of $17,000 and $14,000 in cash. Officers also found evidence that led them to believe they were distributing the drug.

Task Force officers said Chavez-Orlandes returned to the business during the investigation. He was arrested along with the other men.

All five were booked into the Santa Cruz County