A Sylmar couple’s 5-year-old son tested positive for cocaine after detectives in Ventura County stopped his parents’ vehicle and found the boy in the back seat area along with a half pound of the drug, authorities said Sunday.
Marco and Sandy Cuevas were arrested Friday in Moorpark by detectives investigating cocaine use and sales in the eastern portion of Ventura County, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
“The cocaine was being used and sold by teenagers and young adults,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.
Through a series of investigations, it was learned that (Marco) Cuevas was allegedly the source “of the majority of the cocaine in these cases,” according to the sheriff’s department.
“Detectives conducted an investigation into Cuevas where they witnessed him selling cocaine to a Ventura County resident. The investigation also revealed that Cuevas was involved in the sale of guns,” according to the statement.
Members of the Ventura County Interagency Pharmaceutical Crimes Unit, along with other investigators from the sheriff’s office stopped Cuevas as he was allegedly en route to make a cocaine deal, the sheriff’s department reported.
“Cuevas had several ounces of cocaine on his person, as well as a half pound of cocaine in his vehicle. The cocaine in the vehicle was in the back seat area with his 5-year-old son,” according to the sheriff’s department.
The son was tested for cocaine and preliminary results indicated he had the drug in his system, officials said.
“Cuevas’ wife Sandy was also in the vehicle and was in possession of over $10,000 in suspected drug proceeds,” according to the sheriff’s department.
Investigators searched the Cuevas’ home in the 13300 block of Berg Street in Sylmar and found evidence of drug sales, several pounds of marijuana, hundreds of prescription pills, $75,000 in cash, 16 guns and nearly 300 rounds of ammunition, officials said.
Marco Cuevas was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of possession of cocaine for sales, conspiracy to sell cocaine, child endangerment and multiple weapons violations, including being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Sandy Cuevas was booked on suspicion of possession of cocaine for sales, conspiracy to sell cocaine and child endangerment, but she bailed out and is awaiting a court hearing, authorities said.
— City News Service