News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2005

Seizure of Five Kilograms of Cocaine

AUG 22--GILROY – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) San Jose Resident Office, Santa Cruz County Narcotic Enforcement Team (SCCNET) and the Watsonville Police Department announce the arrest of Albert Jose MUNOZ, Cesar Pena MALDONADO, and Antonio Jose LOZANO and the seizure of approximately five kilograms of cocaine.

"The battle to keep drugs off the streets in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties is well documented. Thanks to the hard work of DEA, SCCNET, Watsonville Police Department, Gilroy PD and Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) we have turned a corner in the fight to remove cocaine off the streets." stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Javier F. Peña.

This case is the product of a one month investigation between the DEA San Jose Resident Office, SCCNET and Watsonville PD. On August 20, 2005, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Albert Jose MUNOZ, 33, of Watsonville, Cesar Pena MALDONADO, 30, of Watsonville and Antonio Jose LOZANO, 43, of Aromas, were arrested without incident in the 7100 Block of Camino Arroyo, Gilroy. At the time of their arrest MUNOZ, MALDONADO, and LOZANO were found to be in possession of approximately five kilograms of cocaine.

Following the arrest state authorized search warrants were served in Watsonville and Aromas. As a result of the searches law enforcement seized an approximately one pound of cocaine, ½ ounce of “ice” methamphetamine and one pound of marijuana.

MUNOZ, MALDONADO and LOZANO were booked into the Santa Clara County Jail. This case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office in the Northern District of California. All three defendants were charged with violation of 21 U.S.C Section 846 – Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine and 21 U.S.C. 841 – Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. The next scheduled court appearance is on August 25, 2005.

The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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