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Suspected cocaine seized in Kings Beach raids

Staff reports

A Kings Beach bust that included help from some Truckee Police officers last Thursday netted five arrests, and a reported cache of 7 ounces of cocaine.

Officers from SLEDNET, with the assistance of officers from the Truckee Police Department and the Placer County Sheriff’s Department, served simultaneous search warrants at two apartments located in the 8400 block of Trout Avenue.

Inside the first apartment, officers reportedly discovered approximately 17 grams of cocaine packaged for sales. Along with the drugs, officers found packaging material believed to be used for the sale of drugs. Police also seized $680 pending asset forfeiture proceedings.



Jose Ramirez, 46, was found inside of the first apartment and was arrested for suspicion of possession of cocaine for sales.

Inside the second apartment, officers reportedly found approximately 197 grams of suspected cocaine packaged in various quantities, along with a scale and packaging material. Some of the suspected cocaine was hidden inside of a Thermos-type bottle, officials say.



Four suspects were located in the second apartment at the time of the search warrant service: Pedro Flores, 28, Luis Banda, 23, Cesar Velasquez, 22, and Rene Velasquez, 28. All four were arrested for suspicion of possession of cocaine for sales.

The five suspects were booked into the Placer County Jail in North Lake Tahoe. Bail has been set at $20,000 each. The United States Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (formerly known as INS) has been notified of the arrests for follow-up investigation.

The investigation and search warrants were the result of undercover purchases of suspected cocaine from the two apartments. The investigation began in October, 2002.

The street value of the seized cocaine is estimated at $12,850.


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