News
Released: September 11, 2026 - Friday, 02:04 PM
The investigation focused on the sale of controlled substances that benefited the Nipomo 13 criminal street gang based in San Luis Obispo County. The investigation also uncovered information regarding a conspiracy to sell controlled substances from two businesses, Munchiez 805 restaurant located in rural Arroyo Grande and Head Liners barbershop located in Nipomo.
During the investigation, GTF Detectives authored numerous search warrants that resulted in the seizure of 2.2 kilograms of cocaine (estimated street value of approximately $220,000), 25 firearms, $60,426 in cash, along with evidence related to drug sales and gang activity.
Following those seizures, GTF Detectives continued the investigation by identifying co-conspirators, conducting interviews, reviewing social media and cell phone evidence, analyzing surveillance video, and completing additional investigative reports.
The following individuals were arrested as a result of this investigation:
Rolando Belmontez, 41, Santa Maria
Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
Robert Ramirez, 43, Nipomo
Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
Josef Ramirez, 27, Nipomo
Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
Carlos Jovani Torres, 36, Portland, OR
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Carlos Antonio Torres, 67, Santa Maria
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Emmanuel SilvaSerna, 33, Nipomo
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Efren Rodriguez, 31, Nipomo
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Alonzo QuintanaCastillo, 33, Nipomo
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Joseph Silva, 31, Orcutt
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Esteban CarrilloGomez, 31, Grover Beach
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the agencies that assisted with these arrests, including the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Team, Santa Maria Police Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, and Portland Police Bureau.
GTF Detectives have also requested additional charges against some of the individuals listed above based on information developed during the investigation. These charges include but are not limited to, felony child endangerment, sales of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school, possession of assault weapons, maintaining a location for the sale and use of a controlled substance, and active participation in a criminal street gang.
Narcotics and Firearms Arrests
Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: 805-781-4547Date and time of incident: 9-10-2026 and 9-11-2026Place of Occurrence: San Luis Obispo CountyVictim Information: N/ASuspect Information: 10 ArrestsOn 9-10-2026 and 9-11-2026, Detectives from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Detail (SED), with assistance from several other law enforcement agencies, arrested multiple individuals on outstanding arrest warrants. The arrests are the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force (GTF).The investigation focused on the sale of controlled substances that benefited the Nipomo 13 criminal street gang based in San Luis Obispo County. The investigation also uncovered information regarding a conspiracy to sell controlled substances from two businesses, Munchiez 805 restaurant located in rural Arroyo Grande and Head Liners barbershop located in Nipomo.
During the investigation, GTF Detectives authored numerous search warrants that resulted in the seizure of 2.2 kilograms of cocaine (estimated street value of approximately $220,000), 25 firearms, $60,426 in cash, along with evidence related to drug sales and gang activity.
Following those seizures, GTF Detectives continued the investigation by identifying co-conspirators, conducting interviews, reviewing social media and cell phone evidence, analyzing surveillance video, and completing additional investigative reports.
The following individuals were arrested as a result of this investigation:
Rolando Belmontez, 41, Santa Maria
Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
Robert Ramirez, 43, Nipomo
Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
Josef Ramirez, 27, Nipomo
Conspiracy to sell cocaine with a gang enhancement.
Carlos Jovani Torres, 36, Portland, OR
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Carlos Antonio Torres, 67, Santa Maria
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Emmanuel SilvaSerna, 33, Nipomo
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Efren Rodriguez, 31, Nipomo
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Alonzo QuintanaCastillo, 33, Nipomo
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Joseph Silva, 31, Orcutt
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
Esteban CarrilloGomez, 31, Grover Beach
Conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale with a weight enhancement involving more than one kilogram.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the agencies that assisted with these arrests, including the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office, San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Team, Santa Maria Police Department, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, and Portland Police Bureau.
GTF Detectives have also requested additional charges against some of the individuals listed above based on information developed during the investigation. These charges include but are not limited to, felony child endangerment, sales of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school, possession of assault weapons, maintaining a location for the sale and use of a controlled substance, and active participation in a criminal street gang.
