On October 19, Santa Rosa resident Giovanni Small, 31, was apprehended as part of a narcotics investigation initiated in September by the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) Narcotics Team. The investigation revealed Small's participation in cocaine sales leading to his arrest, subsequent to a search warrant mentioned in a Facebook post by the SRPD.
The investigation extended to two locations: one in the 200 block of E St, Santa Rosa, and another in the 1700 block of Ridley Ave, Santa Rosa. Nothing substantial was found at the E St location, whereas, the Ridley Ave location yielded a concerning collection of illegal items.
Officers at the Ridley Ave residence seized criminal spoils ranging from 1.4 pounds of suspected cocaine to an un-serialized assault rifle. Also recovered was an un-serialized Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic handgun, 2 bulletproof vests with ballistic plates, ammunition rounds in thousands, counterfeited Oxycodone pills suspected of containing fentanyl, weapon manufacturing tools and equipment, and a number of unused plastic baggies. Besides showcasing Small's narcotics dealings, the findings throw light on ongoing illegal arms production and possession.
The nefarious presence of weapons violations, aiding in an array of violent acts nationwide is brought to the forefront with Small's arrest. Through the seizure of unpackaged weapons, the off-the-record procurement of firearms, and evading necessary background checks for the safety of communities, come into focus. Sometimes, these weapons are assembled personally or for forbidden acts, popularizing a relatively new phenomenon—"ghost guns."
Giovanni Small is now up against numerous charges, among which are narcotics possession for sale, possession of an assault weapon, manufacturing an assault weapon, and being armed during drug dealing.
