Local News

Three Bridgeport Men Arrested in Drug Raid

Jan 23, 2015

Three Bridgeport men were arrested Thursday on multiple drug charges following a raid on two homes by the North Central Washington Narcotics Task Force.

Okanogan County Sheriff Frank Rogers said two search warrants were executed on two locations following a four month long investigation.

Arrested were, 23-year-old Eduardo Picazo, 24-year-old Benjamin Angel Torres-Lopez, and 35-year-old Faustino Cruz-Garcia, all of Bridgeport. The three were booked into the Okanogan County jail on multiple drug charges, and Rogers said, additional charges are pending.

The Sheriff said, during the search detectives located falsified residency cards, false social security cards, SKS rifle, semiautomatic pistol, ammunition, drugs, scales and packaging material for distribution. Detectives also seized cash and a corvette.

Rogers said, “Picazo and Torres-Lopez are both gang members and in July of 2014 the two were arrested by California Highway Patrol after a traffic stop resulted in the finding of a substantial amount of methamphetamine and stolen firearms.” He said, “It is believed the two were transporting a significant amount of methamphetamine from California back to Douglas and Okanogan County for distribution.”

Charges from the 2014 California arrest include Possession of a Controlled Substance, Transport of a Controlled Substance, Carry Concealed Stolen Weapon, Carry Stolen Loaded Firearm, CCW Criminal ST Gang, and Carry Loaded Firearm/Gang Member. Both Picazo and Torres-Lopez were out on bail from the 2014 California arrest.