Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Drugs

Two suspects arrested in Tustin with drugs and a gun

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A Tustin Police Department officer recently struck up a conversation with David Phan and Priscilla Lopez at an apartment complex. The officer was surprised to find that were drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain view in their vehicle.

A further search of the vehicle yielded a loaded 9mm Beretta handgun. In total, they possessed over 8 grams of methamphetamine, 1.75 grams of heroin, and indicia for drug sales.

Both Phan and Lopez were booked into jail on numerous felony charges, including possession of drugs for sale, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm and a controlled substance, and many more.

This week, the Tustin Police Department handled 1084 calls, took 153 reports, and made 50 arrests.

Drug prevention classes for Santa Ana youth

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The City of Santa Ana has partnered with America On Track to offer Drug Prevention & Life Skills Classes for youth. America On Track will be hosting weekly virtual classes for youth in elementary, middle and high school. The age-appropriate classes begin during the week of Nov. 16 from 4 to 5 p.m. and you can still enroll.

The curriculum is focused on preventing and or reducing alcohol, tobacco/vape, marijuana, opioid and methamphetamine use among youth. These FREE weekly classes strive to give youth the confidence and skills necessary to handle challenging situations.

Registration is required. Weekly prizes and a grand prize will be provided to participating youth who complete the program. All youth are encouraged to participate and learn to live a drug free life!

High School Sessions – Mondays, 4-5 p.m. 10 sessions, Nov. 16 – Feb. 1.

Middle School Sessions – Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. 15 sessions, Nov. 18 – March 10.

Elementary School (4th & 5th Grade) Sessions – Fridays, 4-5 p.m. 8 sessions, Nov. 20 – Jan. 29.

English Registration Link
https://americaontrack.wufoo.com/forms/m80w4bb1ep4ub0/

Spanish Registration Link
https://americaontrack.wufoo.com/forms/myc7mq1g1kato/

Weekly prizes (Gift Cards) and a grand prize (i.e. Hoverboard, AirPods, etc.) will be provided to participating youth who complete the program.

Clases de Prevención de Drogas para Jóvenes de Santa Ana

La Ciudad de Santa Ana se ha asociado con America On Track para ofrecer clases de prevención de drogas y habilidades para la vida para jóvenes. America On Track ofrecerá clases virtuales semanales para jóvenes de primaria, secundaria y preparatoria. Las clases apropiadas basada en edades comienzan durante la semana del 16 de noviembre de las 4 p.m. a las 5 p.m. y todavía se puede registrar.

El plan de estudios se centra en prevenir o reducir el consumo de alcohol, tabaco/vapeo, marihuana, opioides y metanfetaminas entre los jóvenes. Estas clases semanales GRATUITAS se esfuerzan por brindar a los jóvenes la confianza y las habilidades necesarias para manejar situaciones desafiantes.

Es necesario registrarse. Se proporcionarán premios semanales y premios grandes a los jóvenes participantes que completen el programa. ¡Se anima a todos los jóvenes a participar y aprender a vivir una vida libre de drogas!

Sesiones de la escuela Secundaria – lunes, 4-5 p.m. 10 sesiones, noviembre 16 – febrero 1.

Sesiones de la escuela Intermedia – miércoles, 4-5 p.m. 15 sesiones, noviembre 18 – marzo 10.

Sesiones de la escuela Primaria (4 y 5 grado) – viernes, 4-5 p.m. 8 sesiones, noviembre 20 – enero 29.

Enlace de registro en inglés
https://americaontrack.wufoo.com/forms/m80w4bb1ep4ub0/

Enlace de registro en español
https://americaontrack.wufoo.com/forms/myc7mq1g1kato/

Se proporcionarán premios semanales (tarjetas de regalo) y premios grandes (como Hoverboard, AirPods, y más) a jóvenes participantes que completen el programa.

Former O.C. physician assistant admits to writing opioid prescriptions for local drug dealers

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Drugs, Federal Government, Justice, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, California – A former physician assistant at a Fountain Valley medical clinic pleaded guilty today to a federal charge that he conspired to issue and sell prescriptions for oxycodone, a highly addictive opioid painkiller, without a medical purpose, to drug dealers, knowing the drugs would be sold on the street.

Raif Wadie Iskander, 54, formerly of Ladera Ranch, but who now resides in Ennis, Montana, pleaded guilty via videoconference to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone.

to his plea agreement, from 2018 to April 2019, Iskander, who was a licensed physician assistant in California, wrote prescriptions for “patients” he had never met or examined, including an undercover law enforcement officer. Iskander provided to drug dealers multiple paper prescriptions that he had signed, but with the patient names left blank, to be filled in by drug dealers later.

In exchange for cash, Iskander wrote fraudulent oxycodone prescriptions for co-defendants Johnny Gilbert Alvarez, 40, a.k.a. “M.J.,” of Santa Ana, and Adam Anton Roggero, 37, of Costa Mesa, who sold the prescribed drugs on the street as well as to an undercover officer, according to the plea agreement.

Iskander admitted he knew that the oxycodone filled from the prescriptions would be sold to drug customers who were not using the oxycodone for legitimate medical purposes and whom defendant had never met or examined.

United States District Judge James V. Selna has scheduled an April 26, 2021 sentencing hearing, at which time Iskander will face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Roggero pleaded guilty on October 20 to one count of conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Alvarez is scheduled to go to trial on March 9, 2021.

This matter was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Costa Mesa Police Department, and the California Department of Health Care Services.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rosalind Wang of the Santa Ana Branch Office.

The SAPD seized more guns and drugs over the weekend

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SAPD Directed Patrol police officers stopped a vehicle in the area of 3300 S. Main St. on Sunday. During a search of the front passenger who was on parole, officers located a firearm inside his backpack.

Gang Detectives stopped a vehicle for traffic violations in the area of the 55 Freeway and MacArthur Blvd. Detectives contacted the driver of the vehicle and noticed a small amount of methamphetamine on the floorboard. A loaded AR 15 rifle with extended mags, 1/2 pound of methamphetamine, and $1,700.00 in US Currency was located in the trunk of the vehicle.

SAPD MET Detectives were conducting crime suppression in the area of Edinger Ave. and Standard Ave. and stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. The driver was found to be on federal probation and in possession of drug paraphernalia. Detectives searched the vehicle and recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun under the passenger’s seat.

Gang Detectives stopped a vehicle for minor traffic violations. The front passenger in the vehicle immediately fled on foot while the female driver stayed in the vehicle. While apprehending the suspect, a loaded semi-automatic pistol fell out of his waistband. The driver of the vehicle was in possession of one ounce of methamphetamine.

While conducting a traffic stop, Gang Detectives recovered a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a large quantity of methamphetamine from inside the vehicle.

While responding to a call of a domestic dispute, SAPD Patrol Officers determined a man who lived there was on probation for being in possession of a firearm. Two firearms were recovered from the residence.

All suspects involved were arrested for felony and firearm violations.

The Orange Police Dept. is conducting a DUI and Drivers’ License Checkpoint tonight

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The Orange Police Department is conducting a DUI and Driver’s license checkpoint tonight at 1800 W. Chapman.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a $288,500 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant will assist in the Orange Police Department’s efforts to reduce deaths and injuries on the City of Orange roads.

“These are trying times, and now more than ever, it is important that we are at the forefront of traffic safety,” Orange PD Sergeant Trevor Cullen said. “This funding allows us to educate and enhance the safety of all residents.”

The one-year grant is for the 2021 federal fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021.The grant will fund a variety of traffic safety programs, including:

  • Patrols with emphasis on alcohol and drug-impaired driving prevention.
  • Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
  • Patrols with emphasis on education of traffic rights for bicyclists and pedestrians.
  • Patrols with emphasis on awareness and education of primary causes of crashes: excess speed, failure to yield, failure to stop at stop signs/signals, improper turning/lane changes.
  • Community education presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, DUI, speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety.
  • Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

“Through education and behavior changes, we hope to create an environment that is safe and equitable for all road users in our community,” said Sergeant Cullen.Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The O.C. Sheriff’s Department awarded a DUI testing and training grant

Posted on by Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Traffic Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (November 10, 2020): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department – OC Crime Lab has been awarded a $117,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for training and enhanced drug-impaired driving testing. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will use the funding to facilitate the efficient testing of all blood samples collected in DUI investigations for the presence of drugs, regardless of the blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

“With illicit drug use on the rise, coupled with the introduction of fentanyl onto our streets, this type of efficient testing is a necessary tool to keep Orange County roadways safe,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “This grant will assist Orange County law enforcement’s efforts to identify those individuals who drive while under the influence and hold them accountable for their actions.”

The prevalence of drug-impaired driving is increasing on our roadways. Based on case-derived data collected by the Orange County Crime Laboratory, more than 50% of drivers arrested for DUI in Orange County have at least one impairing drug in their system other than alcohol.

Illicit drugs and certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause impairment in an individual. These substances in combination with even a small amount of alcohol can cause a person to become unable to operate a motor vehicle safely.

“Drug-impaired driving is a significant problem in California,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Effective drug testing is needed to combat the rise in cases and assist in the prosecution of those who put lives at risk.”

While alcohol remains the worst offender for DUI crashes, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications and marijuana can also be impairing by themselves, or in combination with alcohol, and can result in a DUI arrest.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Fullerton woman pleads guilty to vandalizing the South Coast Plaza’s Maggiano’s restaurant

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Drugs, OCDA, Restaurants 2 Comments

Laglennda Damona Carr, a 25-year-old woman from Fullerton, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Nov. 5, and was immediately sentenced to 200 hours of community service and 45 days in jail for badly damaging the Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant at the South Coast Plaza in a rampage on Oct. 5, 2019, at 11:40 a.m.

Carr was also placed on two years of formal probation and ordered to participate in an anger-management program, according to the O.C. Register.

Carr accepted felony charges including vandalism and conspiracy and misdemeanor counts of wearing a mask as a disguise during a crime and resisting arrest.

Her co-defendant, Passion Shenay Coleman, was a former employee of the restaurant she and Carr wrecked, the Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant at the South Coast Plaza, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The two suspects arrived at the restaurant at about 11:40 a.m. on Oct. 5, 2019 and after entering they vandalized a television, table settings and plates. Coleman also made threats and threw a plate at a restaurant employee before she left.

The attack was so grievous that the restaurant was compelled to to cancel a dinner reservations that night.

The Costa Mesa Police busted four robbery suspects and seized their gun and drugs

Posted on by Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Drugs, Guns 1 Comment

On Tuesday morning, Costa Mesa police officers responded to a call for assistance at a residence. When officers arrived at the scene, they found four adults in their 30s.

They recognized one of the men as a suspect in a robbery that had occurred the day before at a hotel room, as well as another robbery from the previous week. The second suspect from the hotel robbery was also there. The third man was on parole and had methamphetamine on him. The fourth was a woman who had a warrant out for grand theft.

The police officers found stolen property and drugs inside the residence. With the assistance of K9 Bodi, the gun used in both robberies was also located.

All four of the suspects were arrested, drugs were taken off the street, and that’s one less felon with a gun.

Santa Ana man and two others arrested with guns and drugs in Garden Grove

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Due to an increase of criminal activity in the resort district because of the low occupancies, Garden Grove Police Department officers have been conducting high visibility patrol in the area.

On October 17, 2020 at 7:21 PM, Garden Grove police officers were patrolling the parking lot of the Delta Hotel (‪12021 Harbor Blvd.)‬ when they observed a parked Hyundai displaying license plates belonging to a BMW.

Three subjects were loitering near the vehicle and after seeing the police, they drove off.

The vehicle was driven by a female later identified as Jessica Haffener (50-years-old, of Carpinteria ) who is a convicted felon on active AB109/PRCS supervision.

Also in the car was Luis Zermeno (25-years-old, of Fullerton) who is a convicted felon on active parole and has a gang affiliation; and Abraham Magallon (45-years-old, of Santa Ana) who is on active AB109/PRCS supervision for a prior felony robbery conviction and has a gang affiliation.

The vehicle was stopped and investigated for improper display of the license plates. During the stop, Zermeno ran from officers and was taken into custody a short distance away. After securing him, officers located a loaded 9mm firearm concealed on his person. The handgun was reported stolen from another county. Zermeno was also in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine and heroin.

Haffener was found to be renting several rooms at the hotel. During a search of the rooms, officers located an AR-15 type rifle, rifle ammunition, high capacity magazines, and illegal narcotics.

Magallon was in possession of methamphetamine on his person and was issued a citation. Haffener and Zermeno were later booked at Orange County Jail.

Safely dispose of your unwanted prescription drugs this Saturday

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The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on “National Take Back Day” Saturday, October 24 at numerous locations throughout Orange County.

“This is a great opportunity for folks to clean out their medicine cabinets while helping to safeguard the health and well-being of those they love,” said Dr. Jeffrey Nagel, Deputy Agency Director of Behavioral Health Services. “One of the main sources of drug misuse is prescription pain medication taken from a friend or family member. The opioid crisis is nationwide and participating in events like National Take Back Day is critical.”

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that are stored in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse. Rates of prescription drug misuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Drop-off service is free and anonymous. To learn more about drug misuse prevention efforts in Orange County or to find ongoing, local and safe disposal locations, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/adept. You can also locate a drop-off site near you, by visiting the Drug Enforcement Administration – DEA website at www.DEATakeback.com or call 1-(800) 882-9539.

In addition to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, there are many other ways to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs every day, including the 11,000 authorized drop-off sites that are available all year long. For more information, visit DEA’s year-round drop-off site locator.

The Food and Drug Administration also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available here: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/where-and-how-dispose-unused-medicines.

Diverse array of drugs and guns seized by police in Westminster

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Anaheim Police Department investigators recently conducted an investigation that lead to a search warrant being served in Westminster, according to their Facebook page.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of cocaine, heroin and psilocybin (cop-talk for “magic mushrooms”) that was packaged for street level sales.

The Anaheim police detectives also seized a large variety of weapons and what they suspect to be illegal obtained cash.

Suspect arrested for DUI after a five car collision in Costa Mesa

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Several of our Facebook readers asked on October 14 if we knew what had happened on Baker St. and the 405 Freeway. It turns out there was an awful DUI accident at Baker St. and Bear St., just before noon that day, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The accident involved five cars. The driver of a minivan rear-ended four other vehicles stopped at a red light.

Costa Mesa Police Officers found used syringes in the minivan, as pictured above.

The driver was arrested for felony DUI causing injury to other motorists.

Two victims were transported to a nearby hospital for complaints of pain and two other victims had minor injuries not requiring transport.

The City of Santa Ana is fed up with the drug use and criminal activity at the Red Roof Inn

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Crime, Drugs, Hotels, Santa Ana, SAPD 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – The City of Santa Ana has filed a public nuisance narcotics abatement lawsuit against the owners of the Red Roof Inn Santa Ana seeking to halt rampant criminal and narcotics-related activity.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, is part of a sustained, concentrated and collaborative effort by the City’s Code Enforcement Division, Santa Ana Police Department and the City Attorney’s Office to target properties that are magnets for gangs, guns, and narcotics activity. The defendants named in the lawsuit include: RR Santa Ana LP and Mountain High/Holiday Hill Corporation, the owners and operators of the business, as well as Terry Tognazzini, Patricia Tognazzini, and Daniel Tognazzini, who are the directors and managers of those business entities.

The Red Roof Inn Santa Ana is a 125-unit motel located at 2600 N. Main St. and adjacent to several businesses and restaurants. The property is located less than 500 feet from the Discovery Cube Orange County and a City park.

Since at least 2018, the property has served as a host for individuals who sell or use narcotics, as well as a gathering place for convicted criminals, probationers, and parolees. The rampant drug-related activity has served as a magnet for crime. From Jan. 1, 2019, to the present, the Santa Ana Police Department has received more than 440 calls for service at the property and has been the source of frequent community complaints.

Additionally, the City’s Code Enforcement Division inspected the property and discovered more than 140 violations of state building codes, including unsafe modifications, rodent and vermin infestations, lack of working smoke detectors, and other violations caused by a lack of proper maintenance.

As a result of these violations, the lawsuit also seeks to abate and correct these building code and health and safety violations for the well-being of the motel guests and the community.

The City’s lawsuit against the owners of the Red Roof Inn seeks a number of remedies to bring immediate relief to the community, including:

• The appointment of a receiver to take over operation of the property;
• A court order requiring the owners to reside in the property until the nuisance is abated;
• An injunction prohibiting narcotics and other criminal activity on the property; and
• Physical and managerial improvements to the property including, without limitation: an internet-connected video monitoring system, improved lighting, secure gating and fencing, improved tenant screening, and 24-hour, licensed security guards.

Read the complaint here: https://bit.ly/2GHl25X

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Santa Ana man arrested for selling drugs in Fountain Valley

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During the month of September 2020, undercover Detectives from the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit began investigating John Wallis, a 30-year-old resident of Santa Ana, who was selling narcotics. Wallis was on Post Release Community Supervision (Probation) for drug sales.

On September 16, 2020, Detectives established surveillance at his apartment complex located in the area of Bear and MacArthur in the City of Santa Ana. After observing a hand-to-hand drug transaction with the occupants of a vehicle in the parking lot, both Wallis and the occupants of the vehicle were detained.

Undercover Detectives conducted a search of Wallis’ residence. Inside the residence Detectives located $7,000.00 in cash, a cumulative total of 12 ounces of heroin and 2 ounces of methamphetamine, and additional evidence of narcotics sales.

Wallis was arrested for possession of narcotics with the intent to sell. The occupants of the vehicle were arrested for possession of narcotics.

Wallis was booked into Orange County Jail.

Man arrested for selling drugs and guns in Fountain Valley

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On October 1, 2020, undercover Detectives from the Fountain Valley Police Department Crime Suppression Unit developed information that Jesus Castaneda, a 22-year-old resident of Fullerton, was selling narcotics and firearms.

Police detectives began surveilling Castaneda’s activities and he was subsequently detained in the area of Orangethorpe and Gilbert in the City of Fullerton.

Undercover Detectives also conducted a search of Castaneda’s residence. Detectives located $17,000 in cash, a loaded firearm, 540 Xanax (Alprazolam) tablets, 543 grams of “molly” (MDMA/Ecstasy), and an assortment of cocaine, acid (LSD) and marijuana.

Castaneda was arrested on multiple charges including possession of narcotics with the intent to sell, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a loaded firearm.

Castaneda was booked into Orange County Jail.