Few details are being released following the arrest of 11 people in Santa Cruz County in connection with a federal drug investigation. Those arrested include Marciano Ramirez Cruz, an elderly Watsonville resident whose son is charged in a federal indictment that accuses 24 people of being involved in a drug ring. Cruz was arrested Monday morning when U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a federal search warrant at his son's Watsonville home. Agents didn't find the younger man, Marciano Ramirez Gomez, at the home but they did find his father there, according to documents filed in federal court. While searching the older man's bedroom closet, agents found an ounce of a substance believed to be heroin, the documents state. They also reported finding a storage tub containing $30,000 wrapped in aluminum foil and plastic wrap, a .38 caliber revolver and a brown paper bag containing 50 rounds of .38 caliber ammunition. Cruz was charged with possessing heroin with intent to distribute. He remained in federal custody Wednesday. "He has a detention hearing Friday and I'm very hopeful that he'll be released," said his attorney, Peter Leeming, who believes his client is being unfairly included in the investigation. "He's an elderly gentleman without a significant history." Cruz's son is among 24 people named in a federal indictment alleging numerous drug charges, including conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or Advertisement more of methamphetamine, distribution of heroin, drug trafficking and money laundering. Casey McEnry, a spokeswoman for the DEA's San Francisco branch, said she couldn't comment on the case and referred comments to U.S. Attorney Jack Gillund, who wouldn't comment further on the case Wednesday. Eleven arrests were made in total in Santa Cruz County Monday in connection with the indictment. Of those, nine are named in the indictment. A 10th defendant also named in the indictment was arrested Monday in Milpitas. Jerardo Rodriguez-Guerrera, who isn't named in the indictment, was arrested after he left his Santa Cruz apartment early Monday morning. He was carrying 30 grams of heroin, 1.1 grams of meth and 1.2 grams of cocaine, and a search of his apartment turned up 176.5 more grams of heroin, according to court documents. He's charged with intent to distribute heroin. Calls to his attorney were not returned Wednesday. Local law enforcement departments in Santa Cruz County have been asked not to comment on the case, as it is a pending federal investigation.
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