Santa Maria – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office – Special Investigations Bureau (SIB) concluded a several month’s long investigation, culminating in the arrest of 26-year-old Jacob Cardenas on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

Detectives had been investigating the suspected criminal activity of Santa Maria resident Jacob Cardenas, a convicted felon and suspected Westpark gang member, who is currently on active Santa Barbara County Probation.  On Tuesday morning, detectives executed three search warrants in the City of Santa Maria associated with Cardenas.  During the execution of the search warrants, Cardenas was located inside the bathroom of his residence in the 400 block of E. Mill St., actively attempting to flush narcotics down the toilet.  Detectives forced entry into the bathroom and arrested Cardenas.  Approximately 3.5 lbs. of methamphetamine were recovered from the bathroom.  Additionally, 6 firearms were recovered during the search warrants, along with approximately $11,000 in cash.

Cardenas was arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of; Possession for sales of controlled substance, Felon in possession of a firearm, Unlawful possession of ammunition and Possession of a controlled substance while armed.  Cardenas was also booked on a $75,000 warrant stemming from an incident involving a vehicle pursuit with the Santa Maria Police Department a week prior.

Jacob Cardenas is being held without bail on a probation detainer.