Edhat Staff
Source: Santa Barbara Police Department
(SANTA BARBARA, CA – May 16, 2017) On Monday of this week, the Santa Barbara Police Department Investigative Bureau gleaned intelligence that culminated in a significant drug arrest and seizure – Narcotics Detectives seized 1.4 lbs. of tar heroin (street value $60k) and $55,810 in cash from a multi-county illicit drug sales operation. The kingpin is now behind bars.
Earlier in the month, investigators acquired information that an Oxnard based drug dealer was the heroin source for multiple Santa Barbara mid-level suppliers. They learned that the suspect, Salvador Cortes Duran, aged 54, was utilizing a drug runner to assist in his heroin sales operation.
Although Duran went to great lengths to avoid apprehension, the Narcotics Unit assisted by officers and detectives from all Santa Barbara Police divisions executed search warrants at four different locations in the Oxnard area. In all, forty officers were deployed from the Santa Barbara Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office to secure the multiple scenes. Salvador Duran was detained and arrested. Evidence of his regional sales operation included a hefty amount of heroin, cash, retail packaging for sales and several scales.
Duran was booked at Ventura County Jail on four charges: committing a felony while currently out on bail; possession of heroin; sales of heroin; and child endangerment. Because of the seriousness of the charges his bail amount is set at $1M.
