Mother of 5 arrested for possession of handgun and drugs in Santa Cruz

A 31-year-old woman was arrested Friday for possession of heroin, methamphetamine, a loaded handgun and $3,000 in cash, according to the Santa Cruz County Anti-Crime Team Narcotic Taskforce.

Members of the Gang Taskforce and special agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security assisted with the search warrant at the residence of Norma Garcia on the 3300 block of Axford Road in Santa Cruz.

The SCCACT said during the execution of the search warrant a .22-caliber handgun, $3,000 in cash, 7 grams of methamphetamine and heroin with a street value of $5,550 to $7,000 were found in the home.

The SCCACT said all five of Garcia’s children, between the ages of 4 and 13 years old, were placed with Children’s Protective Services. Two of them were present during the search of the residence.