New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Drugs

Drugs and a ghost gun were found on a convicted felon in Westminster during a traffic stop

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Guns, Westminster Leave a comment

On August 4 around midnight, a Westminster police officer conducted a traffic stop for vehicle code violations at Goldenwest and Trask.

After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, the police officers found a loaded ghost gun (unserialized handgun) under the driver’s seat, 10 grams of crack cocaine, and 6 grams of methamphetamine.

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The driver was a convicted felon, and of course, prohibited from possessing firearms.

The police officers arrested the driver for several charges including felon in possession of a firearm and drugs sales.

The SAPD is conducting a DUI and Driver’s License checkpoint tonight

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, July 29th, 2022. It will begin at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00 AM.

The primary purpose of a DUI Checkpoint is to deter impaired driving, not to increase arrests. All too often, members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by impaired drivers. This DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint is an effort to reduce those tragedies, as well as ensuring drivers have a valid driver’s license. The DMV reports that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to cause a fatal crash than a licensed driver is.

The checkpoint will be staffed by officers trained in the detection of alcohol and drug impairment to provide on-the-spot assessments of drivers suspected of alcohol or drug impairment. All checkpoints are conducted in accordance with the guidelines for DUI checkpoint operations outlined in the California Supreme Court decision, Ingersoll v. Palmer.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Border Patrol Agents seized 250 lbs. of Fentanyl from a pickup truck in San Diego

Posted on July 21, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Federal Government, Mexico Leave a comment

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Border Patrol Agents arrested an individual attempting to smuggle approximately 250 pounds of fentanyl near Campo, Calif, early in the morning on July 18, 2022.

At approximately 3:00 a.m., Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Campo Border Patrol Station conducted a vehicle stop on a 2015 Black GMC truck on Interstate 8 eastbound near the Golden Acorn Casino. During the vehicle stop, a Border Patrol K-9 conducted a sniff and alerted to the vehicle.

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A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of multiple bundles concealed within the vehicle’s spare tire and gas tank. The bundles contained a combined total of approximately 250 lbs. of pills that tested positive for fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $3,679,000.

“Our agents prevented these dangerous narcotics from reaching our communities,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “I am proud to say that our Border Patrol agents here in San Diego Sector are responsible for over 50% of all the fentanyl seized by the U.S. Border Patrol this fiscal year.”

The United States citizen adult male driver, and the narcotics were turned over to the DEA, the vehicle was seized by U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.

Irvine man arrested after a fatal DUI collision killed a driver, a passenger and a dog

Posted on July 19, 2022 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Crime, Drugs, Irvine Leave a comment

An Irvine man has been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs following a collision that killed another driver and their passenger.

Just after 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, Irvine Police Department (IPD) and Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) personnel were called to a traffic collision at the intersection of Meadow Valley and Spring Valley.

When personnel arrived, a Mini Cooper was engulfed in flames. The other involved vehicle, a Volkswagen Golf, was driven by 20-year-old Jack Varganagl of Irvine.

OCFA extinguished the fire, and the driver, a passenger, and a dog were discovered deceased inside the Mini Cooper. Varganagl was transported to a local hospital for injuries he sustained during the collision. He has been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

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IPD will be working with the Orange County Coroner to identify the individuals that died and make notification to their next-of-kin.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation but speed and driving under the influence of drugs appear to be factors.

The SAPD seized over 2,500 illegal fireworks and narcotics from a suspect

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fires, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

SAPD firework roundup during the 4th of July period included the service of a search warrant.

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SAPD Directed Patrol Officers, in collaboration with the Firework Enforcement Detail, served the search warrant and recovered over 2,500 illegal fireworks and narcotics.

Fountain Valley police arrested a felon and seized his guns and narcotics

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fountain Valley, Guns Leave a comment

On July 1, 2022, Fountain Valley Patrol Officers responded to the 10000 block of El Plano regarding a subject shooting a high-powered pellet rifle near a public area.

Patrol Officers arrived and detained, Joseph Pham, a 42-year-old resident of Fountain Valley. A records check of Pham revealed he is a convicted felon. Pham was a recent person of interest in previous calls for service regarding shooting a high powered pellet rifle into neighboring residences.

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Fountain Valley Detectives responded and took over the investigation. Later in the evening, a search warrant for Pham’s residence was executed which resulted in the seizure of one Glock 43 handgun, one AR-15 rifle, several high powered pellet rifles and handguns. Additionally, FVPD Detectives located ammunition, high capacity magazines, hunting scopes, methamphetamine, and narcotics paraphernalia (See attached photograph). The Glock handgun and AR15 assault weapon were not serialized and were determined to be “Ghost Guns”.

Pham was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail for Felon in possession of ghost guns, ammunition, high capacity magazines, methamphetamine, and narcotics paraphernalia. Additional charges of felony vandalism and shooting into an inhabited dwelling were also included. Pham’s bail was set at $25,000. Anyone with information regarding the above arrest are encouraged to contact FVPD, reference DR#22-22194.

Man arrested for fatal DUI crash in Orange

Posted on July 5, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Tustin Leave a comment

Tyler Pitchford was arrested on murder charges by Orange Police Officers as he was released from a hospital on June 28, in relation to a fatal DUI auto collision.

On May 21, 2022, at 10:29 p.m., Pitchford (31-year-old male from Orange) was driving a Kia Soul north on Tustin Street. Pitchford failed to stop for the red light at Taft Avenue and collided into a Porsche. The driver of the Porsche died at the scene.

Pitchford was admitted to a local hospital with significant injuries. Pitchford’s blood sample returned positive for several illicit drugs including Fentanyl and he has two prior convictions for driving impaired.

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The Orange Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team has been working diligently with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to secure a criminal filing.

Pitchford has been booked at Orange County Jail.

A Tustin K9 police officer helped to make several felony arrests and gun and drug seizures

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Guns, Tustin Leave a comment

This Wednesday, the Tustin Police Department partnered with OC Probation Officers and Parole Agents for a crime suppression detail.

Tustin Police Officers made 63 investigative contacts resulting in 4 felony arrests and 7 misdemeanor arrests.

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The Police Officers seized approx. 2,000 fentanyl pills, 1.4 grams of methamphetamine, 2 Glock-style “Ghost Guns”, 1 AK-47 type rifle, 1 AR-15 type rifle, .223 and 7.62 ammunition, body armor with rifle plates, inidicia of unlawful firearm manufacturing (two 3-D printers), and one imitation firearm.

The Tustin K9 officer Ragnar’s fine-tuned nose was a big help on a traffic stop which resulted in the contraband yield shown.

Fullerton man arrested with enough Fentanyl to kill 12M people

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fullerton, OCDA Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A suspected drug dealer has been charged with several felonies for possessing enough fentanyl to kill 12 million people, nearly four times the population of Orange County. California Highway Patrol officers discovered four kilos of the deadly drug inside the man’s vehicle during a traffic stop in Fullerton and a search of the man’s Fullerton home revealed 20 more kilos of fentanyl, $250,000 in fentanyl pills, and 122 grams of methamphetamine. A lethal dose of fentanyl is as little as 2 milligrams.

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Alfonso Gomez-Santana, 60, of Fullerton has been charged with one felony count of sale or transport of a controlled substance and two felony counts of possession of sale with intent to sell. He faces a maximum sentence of 6 years and 8 months in the Orange County Jail if convicted on all counts.

Gomez-Santana was arrested on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 after California Highway Patrol Officers pulled him over near South Lemon Street and Orangethorpe Avenue in the City of Fullerton and discovered four kilos of fentanyl in his vehicle and additional fentanyl and methamphetamine inside his Fullerton home.

“It is unconscionable that someone who has the ability to kill 12 million people is facing just a handful of years in jail,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Fentanyl is a national epidemic that killed more than 100,000 Americans last year and it’s not going to stop unless we have the tools as prosecutors to hold these drug dealers and drug manufacturers accountable for peddling death. Every parent in America should be petrified that one day they are going to walk into their child’s bedroom and find them dead because their child thought they were experimenting with recreational drugs and instead drug dealers sold them a deadly dose of fentanyl. This is not fear-mongering; this is reality – and if we don’t start strengthening penalties for drug dealers it’s going to be the reality for you or someone you love.”

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has been aggressively been combatting fentanyl through education and prosecution.

In November, Orange County prosecutors began administering a controlled substance warning to drug dealers, manufacturers, and distributors that if their drug-related activities result in someone’s death they could be charged with murder. Last month, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office cross-designated an Orange County prosecutor as a federal prosecutor to prosecute fentanyl cases federally in an effort to maximize sentences for drug dealers.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Moss of the Narcotics Enforcement Team is prosecuting this case.

The Orange Police Department is conducting a DUI and Driver’s license checkpoint tonight

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Orange Leave a comment

The Orange Police Department is conducting a DUI and Driver’s license checkpoint tonight in the area of Tustin and Taft between 8:00 pm and 2:15 am.

The DUI checkpoint will be a few blocks south of the Orange Mall.

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

The SAPD will conduct a DUI and Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday night, June 17

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Friday, June 17th, 2022. It will begin at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00 AM.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Tustin police officers made a drug bust after pulling over a convicted felon

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Guns, Santa Ana, Tustin Leave a comment

Early Saturday morning, Tustin police officers stopped a driver for multiple vehicle code violations. The officers began a DUI investigation and the driver was ultimately arrested for DUI marijuana.

During the investigation, the officers also learned that the driver was a convicted felon and a narcotics registrant.

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When the vehicle was searched, the officers found an unregistered loaded handgun and an ounce of marijuana.

The driver was booked into Orange County Jail.

Armed catalytic converter theft suspect arrested in Orange

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Editor Posted in automobiles, Crime, Drugs, Orange 6 Comments

At 4:00 a.m. this morning, an Orange police officer conducted an occupied vehicle check in a parking lot near N. Canal and Meats. A records check of the license plate confirmed the vehicle had a felony warrant for involvement in catalytic converter thefts.

A high-risk stop was done and a male and female occupant were detained without incident.

The male had an active warrant for drug offenses and a loaded magazine was found on his person.

A search of the vehicle was done and officers located two loaded handguns with high capacity magazines, methamphetamine and paraphernalia.

The vehicle was impounded and both subjects were booked into OCJ for gun and drug related offenses along with the warrant.

Thanks to the Orange graveyard shift police officers for their proactivity and keeping folks safe while they are sleeping.

The SAPD will conduct a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint tonight

Posted on May 26, 2022 by Editor Posted in Alcohol, Crime, Drugs, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

The Santa Ana Police Department will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License checkpoint on Thursday, May 26th, 2022. It will begin at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 2:00 AM.

All vehicles may be checked and drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs will be arrested. Our objective is to send a clear message to those who are considering driving a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol and / or drugs – Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest. The public is encouraged to help keep roadways safe by calling 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The SAPD and Tustin Police gun seizure report for the week of May 14 to 20

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Guns, Santa Ana, SAPD, Tustin Leave a comment

The SAPD announced their weekly gun seizures for the week of 05/14/2022 – 05/20/2022.

SAPD police officers were conducting a patrol check when they observed a suspicious vehicle parked near a school. A records check revealed that the registered owner of the vehicle had an arrest warrant.

The officers checked the vehicle and located an adult male seated inside the vehicle. The officers then conducted a pat-down search for weapons and located a .45 caliber pistol on the male suspect.

A records check then revealed that the handgun had been reported stolen. The suspect was found to be a convicted felon and was booked at the Santa Ana Jail for weapon violations.

The officers then gained information regarding a storage unit that belonged to the suspect. A search warrant for that storage unit was obtained and during the search the officers recovered over 4,000 pounds of various caliber ammunition, a shotgun barrel and hunting gear believed to have been associated with a burglary.

SAPD MET detectives followed up on an investigation involving a subject wanted for felony possession charges. With the assistance of the OCDA (AB 109) investigators surveillance was then conducted in Costa Mesa.

The suspect was identified. Upon contact the subject fled on foot from the detectives and was eventually taken into custody without incident.

The MET detectives then obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s room and found over a found of methamphetamine and a couple of ounces of fentanyl along with a significant quantity of U.S. currency.

SAPD gang detectives stopped a vehicle for traffic violations. Upon contacting the driver of the vehicle, he admitted that he had narcotics in the vehicle. He gave the detectives consent to search his vehicle and they then also located a loaded 9mm ghost gun in a small bag on the passenger seat.

SAPD directed patrol and Civic Center police officers conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. The driver then gave his consent for a search of his vehicle and the officers located a loaded .40 caliber semi-auto firearm along with a fully loaded high capacity magazine inside the center console.

Tustin police officers stopped a vehicle in the area of First St and Tustin Ave for several CVC (California Vehicle Code) violations last Friday. The male driver, a convicted felon, refused to exit the vehicle and began reaching toward the rear floorboard with his right hand.

The police officers successfully subdued the male and learned he had two felony arrest warrants.

Within the vehicle, officers located a loaded handgun in the same area where the male had been intently reaching. Additionally, they located over 100 grams of methamphetamine, a switchblade knife, and other illegal items.

The male was booked at Orange County Jail for numerous felony charges.

This incident serves as a reminder of the dangers police officers face on a daily basis. Tustin Police Officers remain committed to providing the highest level of public safety and take pride in enforcing the law.