Officers find drugs, $1,300+ inside tent at Santa Cruz homeless encampment

A homeless man was arrested after officers found heroin, methamphetamine, and several hundred dollars in cash inside his tent at an encampment in Santa Cruz.

The drug bust took place at a tent encampment behind 650 River Street around 4 p.m. on April 4.

Officers from the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team’s Gang Task Force were conducting foot patrols when they came across Juan Lopez, 43. The officers said they knew Lopez was on probation and checked his tent.

Officers recovered 69 grams of heroin, 42 grams of methamphetamine, and a digital scale underneath a floorboard. Officers also recovered more than $1,300 in cash.

Lopez was arrested for narcotic sales and probation violation. He was transported to Santa Cruz County Jail.

“Gang Task Force Officers will be continuing to conduct random foot patrols of the encampment and surrounding areas to deter illegal activity,” Commander George Rivera said in a written statement.