On Monday, Santa Rosa Police Department's Narcotics Team executed a search warrant at a home on Russell Avenue as part of an investigation into illegal drug sales. The warrant, served at about 2:25 pm, was directed at 64-year-old Benjamin "Benny" Mares, who is suspected of dealing narcotics but was not present during the search. According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, the house yielded approximately 11 ounces of suspected psilocybin mushrooms and firearms, including a .357 caliber revolver and a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, both unregistered.

During the operation, after running to hide in the backyard, 42-year-old Tony Smith Jr. was found in the detached garage's rafters, and after negotiations, he complied and was detained. Initially giving officers a false identity, Smith, on Post Release Community Supervision for a prior felony and with an active warrant for his release conditions' violation, was later identified. He also turned out to store some of his belongings on a couch, where investigators found one of the guns, as per the Santa Rosa Police Department. At the same time, Scott Stone, a 35-year-old resident sitting there upon detectives' arrival, is also a convicted felon barred from owning guns or ammunition.

The police later booked Smith into Sonoma County Jail on multiple charges, including providing false identification to an officer, obstructing a peace officer, and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Similarly, Stone faced charges of illegal firearm and ammunition possession. Detectives are actively searching for Mares to question him about his involvement in narcotics and illegal arms.

The Santa Rosa Police Department encourages anyone with tips regarding drug-related incidents to contact their Anonymous Drug Tip Hotline at 707-543-3784. They also urge the public to help locate Benjamin "Benny" Mares by calling their non-emergency number at 707-528-5222 with any information.