At 10:40 p.m. on Thursday, North Orange County Special Enforcement Team (SET) deputies conducted a traffic stop that led to a surprising discovery.
Hidden inside the driver’s vehicle was a Country Time lemonade can with a false bottom, concealing approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, 5 grams of PCP, and a meth pipe.
Not the smartest DIY operation—it ended with the driver booked in jail.
What Was Found
- Methamphetamine – ~75 g
- Phencyclidine (PCP) – ~5 g
- Drug paraphernalia – meth pipe, concealed in a jury-rigged container
Potential Criminal Penalties in California
1. Possession of Methamphetamine
- Meth is a Schedule II controlled substance.
- Health & Safety Code § 11377(a): Simple possession is a misdemeanor, punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Up to $1,000 fine
- Possible drug diversion programs instead of incarceration
- However, possession for sale (e.g., large quantities like 75 g) could trigger felony charges under H&S § 11378, with:
- 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in prison
2. Possession of PCP
- Also a Schedule II controlled substance.
- H&S § 11377: Simple possession is a misdemeanor punishable by:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to $1,000 fine
- Potential diversion
- Possession for sale (H&S § 11378.5) or transporting/trafficking (H&S § 11379.5) are felonies, carrying:
- 3–5 years in prison, or 3–9 years if crossing county lines
3. Drug Paraphernalia
- The meth pipe violates H&S § 11364:
- Classified as a misdemeanor with up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000 fine
- May also affect professional licenses
Total Possible Sentencing
Given the evidence and quantities involved, the driver could face:
- Misdemeanor charges for meth and PCP possession, each carrying up to 1 year and $1,000 fines, plus paraphernalia charges.
- But the large amount of meth and presence of PCP suggests intent to distribute, which likely elevates to felony charges:
- Meth: 16 months–3 years in state prison
- PCP: 3–5 years in state prison
- Additional penalties could include fines, probation, mandatory drug counseling, and lasting criminal records.
Final Takeaway
What started as a routine traffic stop ended in the discovery of a stash spanning multiple substances—meticulously concealed in a DIY rig—and a mess of criminal charges. Whether these charges will qualify for diversion or escalate into severe prison sentences hinges on prosecutorial discretion and evidence of intent to sell.
Let this be a reminder: hiding drugs in a lemonade can isn’t just shady—it’s a fast track to felony charges under California law.
Sources:
- Meth possession/penalties: H&S §§ 11377, 11378 [shouselaw.com], [wklaw.com]
- PCP possession/sale/transport: H&S §§ 11377, 11378.5, 11379.5 [shouselaw.com], [thehfirm.com]
- Paraphernalia penalty: H&S § 11364 (up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine) [shouselaw.com], [wklaw.com]