Eighteen arrests following gang investigations in Castroville

Eighteen people were arrested during a three day directed enforcement period in Castroville after an increase in criminal activity by criminal street gang members, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators said their efforts came as a result of criminal activity that happened over the Fourth of July weekend. Deputies said they responded to the intersection of Speegle St. and Haight St. where several people were seen with weapons in hand. Shortly after their initial response, deputies said a crowd of about 80 people began to converge on them as they were attempting to take two suspects into custody.

The Sheriff’s Office sent a team of deputies to target illegal activity in the area. During their enforcement period, deputies said numerous vehicle checks, pedestrian checks and traffic stops led them to evidence of criminal activity.

Marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, ketamine and MDMA were taken in as evidence as well as two illegal weapons and two stolen cars, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Those arrested include: Samuel Ceja, 20, Chuck Calderon, 38, Arthur Marquez, Jr., 19, Daniel Alvarez, 20, Jose Vargas, 20, Eric Perez-Reyes, 21, Marco Velazquez, 18, Christian Ortega, 26, Adrian Martinez, 25, Adam Nickell, 26, Hector Rodriguez, 18, Sofia Ruiz, 36, Roberto Saldivar-Meza, 22, Scotty Johnson, 18, Efren Enciso, 24, a 16-year-old male and two 17-year-old males.