In a recent crackdown by the Santa Rosa Police Department, 32-year-old Cotati resident Alvaro Hurtado-Diaz has been arrested on multiple felony charges for the sale and trafficking of controlled substances, with evidence suggesting a focus on juveniles as his target market. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, Hurtado-Diaz utilized social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Telegram, which are popular among teenagers, as well as peer-to-peer payment services CashApp and Venmo to conduct transactions.

Investigators began looking into Hurtado-Diaz in April 2024 and, by early May, obtained search warrants for his personal effects, property, and vehicles. After conducting a traffic stop on May 8, when Hurtado-Diaz was seen picking up a suspected juvenile at a Sonoma County high school, evidence such as marijuana, THC vape pens, and cocaine were found in his possession. At Hurtado-Diaz's residence, located at the 6900 block of Highway 116 in Cotati, law enforcement discovered an even larger cache of drugs and several firearms, including a stolen handgun and an AR-15 assault weapon. "Detectives are continuing to follow up on this case, including identifying and contacting additional juveniles who may have been targeted by Hurtado-Diaz for drug sales", stated the Santa Rosa Police Department, while maintaining the confidentiality of the minors involved.

Hurtado-Diaz now faces a slew of charges, including soliciting controlled substances to a minor, and possession with intent to sell, among others. Important to parents, the Santa Rosa Police Department has issued a warning about the guileful tactics used by traffickers on social media, illustrating this with the emoji language now common currency in these illicit transactions. The DEA has also responded, releasing their "Emoji Drug Code," a guide to help decode these digital symbols.

Adding to the department's advice, parents should also be aware of how such sellers may allure the young by packaging drugs in a way that appears edible, such as candy or gummies. A search revealed that Hurtado-Diaz may have been packaging these substances himself, thus calling into question their purity and safety for consumption. "The Santa Rosa Police Department encourages parents to be vigilant about the dangers of obtaining THC, marijuana, nicotine, or other controlled substances from illicit traffickers through social media," declared the Santa Rosa Police Department to underscore the gravity of the risks facing unsuspecting youths.

As the Santa Rosa Police Department continues its investigation, the community has been reminded about the severe legal consequences facing those who sell controlled substances to minors—with penalties including up to 12 years in prison per minor involved. Further inquiries can be directed to Sergeant Patricia Seffens, the Public Information Officer for the department, as the case against Hurtado-Diaz unfolds.