Watsonville police arrest father, son in major drug bust

Two Watsonville men, a father and son, are behind bars and suspected of running an illegal marijuana growing and selling business.

Watsonville police and CHP officers arrested Elias Gutierrez, 47, and Eli Gutierrez, 26, Thursday morning.

It came after a weeks long investigation into drugs at their home on Lawrence Avenue.

Police had been called to the Gutierrez home before.

In July 2018, two armed men entered the home and stole a large amount of cash and marijuana.

Both Eli and Elias Gutierrez opened fire as the men ran away. One of the armed robbers, a 32-year-old man, died in the driveway of the home.

Eli was arrested for murder in December of 2018 and was released after posting a 1-million dollar bail. Police say after his release, the two men continued their illegal drug activity.

On August 9, 2019, members of Watsonville PD’s Special Investigations Unit served a high-risk search warrant at their Lawrence Avenue home.

Police reportedly seized approximately $200,000 worth of illegal marijuana plants and products, including edibles, joints, and vapor pens.

In a separate investigation, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Eradication Section team located an illegal marijuana grow belonging to the Gutierrez’. Deputies seized about 200 marijuana plants.

Both men were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail, and face charges for unlawful sales, possession and cultivation of marijuana, and maintaining a drug house.

A weeks-long investigation into a drug house on Lawrence Avenue has led to the arrest of a father and son, as well as the seizure
Our Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and CHP Officers arrested Both men are now facing several drug-related charges out of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

On August 9, our officers served a high-risk search warrant at their Lawrence Avenue home, following numerous complaints from residents about drug sales.

Nearly 100 illegal marijuana plants and dozens of marijuana products such as edibles, joints, and vapor pens were seized.

During the course of this investigation, we learned that the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Eradication Section (COMMET) team located an illegal marijuana grow belonging to the Gutierrez’. Deputies seized about 200 marijuana plants.

We have also gathered evidence showing that the Gutierrez’ are delivering and selling drugs in the community.

This type of illegal drug activity at the Lawrence Avenue home has resulted in at least two violent confrontations involving firearms.

In July 2018, this home was the center of a murder investigation after two armed men entered the home and stole a large amount of cash and marijuana from Eli Gutierrez. Eli and his father, Elias, opened fire as the armed suspects ran away from the residence. One of the armed robbers, a 32-year-old man, died in the driveway of the home.

Prior to the murder investigation, WPD detectives were investigating a shooting that happened in front of the home while Eli Gutierrez was selling marijuana.

Eli was arrested for murder in December of 2018 but was released after posting a one million dollar bail. Since his release, he and his father have continued with their illegal drug activity.

The father and son are currently sitting in Santa Cruz County Jail facing charges for unlawful sales, possession and cultivation of marijuana, and maintaining a drug house