Traffic stop leads to major drug bust in San Luis Obispo
Investigation is ongoing
– Two Santa Maria residents were arrested on weapons, narcotics, and warrant charges in San Luis Obispo following a traffic stop on Wednesday morning, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
An officer on patrol in downtown San Luis Obispo observed a vehicle without a front license plate around 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 6 and conducted a traffic stop as it entered the Marsh Street parking garage. The driver, Felipe De Jesus Ortiza, 38, of Santa Maria, did not stop until reaching the garage’s second floor. Officers discovered that Ortiza had a felony warrant for his arrest out of Santa Barbara County and took him into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, police located an unloaded revolver, a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a disassembled handgun lower receiver, ammunition, approximately 121 grams of methamphetamine and fentanyl, about $2,100 in cash, a scale, and a lockbox safe.
The vehicle’s passenger initially provided a false name, according to authorities, but later revealed her identity as Maritza Hernandez, 30, of Santa Maria. Hernandez also had a warrant for her arrest in San Luis Obispo County and was taken into custody. Officers reported that Hernandez, who is on active probation in San Luis Obispo County, was found with some of the narcotics on her person.
Ortiza was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on felony charges, including probation violation, possession of a firearm by a felon, carrying a loaded firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and possession of a false compartment for drugs.
Hernandez was also booked on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including probation violation, identity theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to appear in court.
Hernandez was not granted bail and remains in custody. The investigation is ongoing.
