San Francisco, CA –  Today, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced that Cristal Cruz-Bangegas (23), has been charged in connection to narcotics trafficking in the Tenderloin.  Cruz-Bangegas is charged with multiple counts of possession for sale of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine salt, cocaine base, oxycodone and alprazolam.  The criminal complaint also alleges that Ms. Cruz-Bangegas possessed over one kilogram (more than two pounds) of fentanyl for sale (H&S 11370.4(a)). 

“I would like to thank the San Francisco Police Department and all of our law enforcement partners who are working tirelessly to identify and arrest suspected drug dealers in our community, said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.  “Drug dealers who come to our city to traffic in death will be held accountable and face consequences for the death and misery that they are responsible for.”

According to court records, on April 16, 2024, San Francisco Police observed Ms. Cruz-Bangegas in a parking lot near the main branch of the San Franco Public Library on the unit block of Larkin Street with a clear bag of suspected narcotics in front of her and a black bag.  Police also observed a group of four to five people standing near her.  Police contacted her and seized over one kilogram of fentanyl from her as well as over 137 grams of heroin, over 137 grams of methamphetamine and other drugs as well as $1,812 in US currency from her. 

Ms. Cruz-Bangegas is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, April 19, 2024, at 1:30PM in Department 10 of the Hall of Justice.  The District Attorney’s Office will move to detain her pending trial because of the public safety risk she poses. 

Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.  You may remain anonymous.

In addition to Ms. Cruz-Bangegas, six other individuals are scheduled to be arraigned on April 19, 2024, for suspected drug trafficking.  Ms. Cruz-Bangegas and the other six suspected drug dealers are currently in custody.

Through April 13, 2024, the District Attorney’s Office was presented with 264 felony narcotics cases and filed 227.  During this same time period, 76 felony narcotics cases were convicted, including one by jury trial, and 44 resolved via guilty pleas to other cases.    

Court Number: 24006886

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