Cayucos man wanted in connection with cocaine trafficking operation is arrested

A man wanted in connection with a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation that spanned several counties has been arrested at a residence in Cayucos, the Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday.

Alexander Allen Matarese, 31, of Cayucos, had a warrant out for his arrest since Aug. 7, when members of the Sheriff’s narcotics unit served several search warrants and arrested eight other people in relation to the investigation.

He was arrested Friday at a residence in Cayucos, though Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Cipolla declined to provide an address, citing the ongoing investigation.

Matarese, court records show, was released from jail without charges last month after being pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy on Highway 41 near Cripple Creek Road in Creston with about 6.5 pounds of cocaine in the car.

Investigators believe that the cocaine found in the vehicle is related to the drug trafficking operation, which resulted in the seizure of more than five kilograms of cocaine and several semi-automatic firearms and ammunition.

Matarese was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of felony charges of conspiracy, transportation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

On Wednesday afternoon, Matarese remained in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail, according to jail logs.

This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 12:07 PM with the headline "Cayucos man wanted in connection with cocaine trafficking operation is arrested."