Undercover Narc Sting Nets 3 Suspected Meth Dealers Friday in Santa Cruz

Two Watsonville men, 58 and 49, and a transient, 39, were arrested Friday for allegedly selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer from the Santa Cruz County Narcotics Task Force. 

In response to citizen complaints of drug dealing throughout Santa Cruz, police said an undercover officer went to various city spots to attempt to find dealers of controlled substances, namely meth, heroin or cocaine.

Within minutes of the operation launch, the undercover officer contacted a homeless man on the Pacific Garden Mall who facilitated a meth buy from Terry Spann, 49 of Watsonville, police said.

The officer met Spann on the foot bridge leading from Felker Street to the Gateway Plaza, where Spann was arrested for allegedly carrying some 18 grams of meth, police said.

The transient "middle man" was later identified as a probationer, and a warrant will be sought for his arrest, according to authorities.

Also arrested with Spann was Thomas Kehler, 58 of Watsonville, for suspicion of possession of controlled substances for sales, police said. 

In a separate deal later that day, the undercover officer "bought" meth from a transient, later identified as Eric Cash, 39, in the CVS parking lot on Front Street.  Cash was subsequently arrested, police said.  

Spann, Kehler and Cash were booked into the Santa Cruz County Jail for suspicion of possession of controlled substances with the intent to sell, according to law enforcement.