July 7, 2023 - Goleta, CA – Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office officials report that Sheriff’s Deputies have arrested a Goleta man and woman found in possession of an array of illegal drugs and two loaded firearms. On Thursday, July 6, 2023, at approximately 1:32 a.m., a Goleta patrol deputy attempted a traffic stop of a vehicle for a headlamp violation in the area of N. Glen Annie Road and Cathedral Oaks Road. After initially failing to pull over, the driver eventually pulled over on San Milano Drive. Deputies contacted the driver, 36-year-old Benicio Pereda, while the passenger, 36-year-old Marisol Loza attempted to flee towards a residence before she was quickly apprehended.

Deputies conducted a probation search of the vehicle and found ammunition, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin, drug paraphernalia, and evidence of narcotics sales. A Sheriff’s K9 unit responded to the area to search the area where Loza ran from the vehicle and located a loaded Ruger .357 revolver and a loaded Beretta .22 semi-auto handgun. Both suspects were arrested for felon in possession of ammunition (felony), possession of a controlled substance for sales (felony), transportation of a controlled substance (felony), felon in possession of a firearm (felony), felon in possession of a loaded firearm (felony), and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm (felony). Pereda was booked on the additional charge of failure to yield to a traffic stop (misdemeanor) and is being held without bail on a probation violation. Loza was booked on the additional charges of obstruction (misdemeanor) and concealing evidence (misdemeanor). She is being held on $50,000 bail.

Source & photo: Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office