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Tag Archives: drugs

Why do Costa Mesa police officers ticket and arrest criminal vagrants while the SAPD ignores them?

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Santa Ana residents are beyond fed up with the dozens if not hundreds of drug addicts that have taken up residency on our streets. Residents often call the SAPD only to find that our police will rarely arrest these vagrants even when there is cause to do so.

In stunning contrast the Cost Mesa Community Policing Unit officers rode 23 miles throughout Costa Mesa, on Tuesday. They made seven drug-related arrests, including one warrant. They also made sure the trash piles they came across got cleaned up.

Why doesn’t Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento make sure this happens in Santa Ana too? While members of our City Council are busy participating in planned riots our city is a mess and it seems that no one at City Hall cares.

A Santa Ana traffic stop led to a big drug bust

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While on patrol, SAPD Civic Center Patrol Officers and AB 109 Officers initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle for traffic violations.

Officers contacted the driver, at which time, materials used to package narcotics were observed inside the vehicle.

With the help of a narcotic detecting K9, narcotics were located inside the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle yielded 4 kilo-sized brick-like packages containing a substance believed to be cocaine.

The driver was arrested and booked for felony sales of narcotics.

SAPD weekly gun and drug arrest report

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While on patrol, SAPD police officers stopped a vehicle after observing the driver commit a vehicle code violation.

Upon contacting the driver and obtaining consent to search the vehicle they located a loaded semi-automatic pistol that was reported stolen.

The driver is a convicted felon and was arrested for felony firearm violations.

SAPD Patrol Officers stopped a vehicle for vehicle code violations. The driver admitted to being in possession of narcotics and a loaded firearm.

Officers located a loaded 9mm handgun and narcotics during the search of the vehicle.

The driver was arrested for felony firearm and narcotic violations.

SAPD Directed Patrol Officers attempted to stop a vehicle for observed traffic violations. When attempting to stop the vehicle, the driver fled from officers and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit entered the city of Tustin where officers lost sight of the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was located unoccupied behind a business.

During a search of the vehicle, officers located a loaded semi-automatic firearm.

The investigation is ongoing as the driver has been identified.

SAPD gang detectives contacted three subjects smoking narcotics in a vehicle.

Two of the three subjects in the vehicle were convicted felons on probation for firearm related charges.

Detectives recovered two loaded 9mm semi-automatics pistols and all three subjects were arrested for felony violations.

The OC Sheriff’s Highway Interdiction Team makes big back-to-back drug busts on the 5 Freeway

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A large amount of narcotics recently being smuggled into Southern California was intercepted and confiscated by the OC Sheriff’s Highway Interdiction Team (HIT).

Over two days, the team initiated traffic stops that resulted in pulling 81.4 pounds of methamphetamine and 115,400 fentanyl pills off the street.

HIT deputies first stopped a vehicle heading northbound on the 5 freeway on Sept. 28. Narcotics detection K-9, Remington, alerted on the vehicle and deputies found 81.4 pounds of methamphetamine and 105,000 fentanyl pills hidden in the floorboards.

The following day, on Sept. 29, deputies stopped another vehicle traveling northbound on the 5 freeway and narcotics detection K-9, JC, alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle. Deputies found and confiscated 10,400 fentanyl pills on that stop.

The Highway Interdiction Team is responsible for patrolling the freeway thoroughfare and proactively identifying and interrupting drug trafficking activity.

SAPD police officers arrested three gangbangers and seized a gun and drugs

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While on patrol in the area of the 1000 block of S. Austin Street, SAPD police officers conducted a vehicle stop and were immediately able to identify the subjects occupying the vehicle as gang members.

During their contact, the police officers observed a loaded handgun in between the legs of the rear passenger and apprehended all of the occupants without incident.

During a search of the individuals and the vehicle, officers also located narcotics, U.S. Currency and indicia related to narcotic sales.

All three subjects were booked at the Santa Ana Jail.

Santa Ana Mayor Vince Sarmiento has not spoken out yet about whether or not the suspects were actually criminals or were just having mental health issues.

The SAPD seized firearms and drugs at an illegal marijuana grow operation

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Yesterday, SAPD Vice Detectives, with the assistance of Directed Patrol and Code Enforcement, served a search warrant at a suspected illegal cannabis business in the area of the 100 block of E. Alton Avenue. just north of the Sandpointe Neighborhood.

Upon entry into the business, officers and detectives located cannabis and firearms.

In total, over 20 pounds of cannabis, 4 firearms & 1 shotgun were seized.

The investigation continues.

The SAPD’s weekly gun and drug seizure roundup

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SAPD Directed Patrol officers conducted a car stop for vehicle code violations and discovered the driver was on active probation with search and seizure conditions. During their investigation, the driver was found to be in possession of fentanyl. Directed Patrol officers also conducted a search of the driver’s residence in the city of Garden Grove and located a loaded shotgun, 9mm semi-automatic handgun and additional ammunition. The driver was arrested for the illegal possession of narcotics, firearms and ammunition.

SAPD gang detectives stopped a vehicle for minor traffic violations. The two occupants in the vehicle were recognized in having gang affiliation and being on informal probation. The driver of the vehicle gave consent to the search of the vehicle. Detectives located a loaded 9mm semi-automatic “ghost gun” inside a black, nylon, tool bag. They also discovered manufacturing tools to make “ghost guns” and ammunition.

SAPD MET detectives conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of the Comfort Inn Hotel. Upon contact, the driver admitted to having a firearm on his person. A loaded 9 mm “ghost gun” was found in his waistband. Detectives located a briefcase inside the vehicle with multiple bags containing large quantities of narcotics. Further investigation revealed the driver was registered at the Comfort Inn Hotel. A search of the room revealed more narcotics and a loaded AR15 “ghost” rifle with high capacity magazines.

On Friday, August 20th, the STEARRD Partnership, consisting of Santa Ana PD, Garden Grove Police Department, Brea Police Department, and Westminster Police Department, conducted street racing enforcement in the City of Santa Ana. The results of the enforcement were a total of 30 Citations, 1 impound and 2 seized firearms.

SAPD Directed Patrol Officers, along with the AB 109 Task Force initiated a traffic stop during a patrol check. The vehicle was occupied by a male driver and female passenger. The driver was discovered to be on active probation and out on bail for a stolen vehicle and narcotic violations. The female had prior convictions for narcotic sales. Directed Patrol officers completed a probation check of their motel room. During the search, officers located an unloaded 9mm semi-automatic “ghost gun” and a large quantity of methamphetamine individually packaged for sales.

An inmate at the O.C. Lacy Facility died of a suspected drug overdose

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A 25-year-old male inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died on August 20, 2021 of a suspected overdose.

The inmate was booked into jail in June 2021 on a probation violation. He was found unresponsive on his bed in dormitory housing this morning. Medical attention was provided and the inmate was transferred to a local hospital. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital just after 11 a.m. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances.

The identification of the decedent is being withheld pending the notification of next of kin.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

The SAPD seized more guns and drugs this week

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A witness called to report a subject brandishing a handgun at pedestrians. Responding SAPD police officers located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description.

SAPD Patrol and Directed Patrol officers initiated a car stop and detained the driver. Officers located a 9mm “ghost gun” in plain sight under the driver seat.

SAPD gang detectives developed information on an active gang member in possession of firearms/narcotics and authored a search warrant for his residence.

As a result of the investigation, detectives located two loaded revolvers, a large amount of narcotics, and several rounds of ammunition inside the suspect’s bedroom.

While conducting a patrol check, the SAPD AB109 Task Force officers initiated a traffic stop and contacted two subjects in the vehicle. The officers located a .380 Bersa handgun during a search of the vehicle.

The Tustin Police pulled over a suspect and found a gun and cocaine

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While patrolling the area of McFadden Ave & Tustin Village Way on Thursday night, Tustin Police Officers made a traffic stop on a vehicle.

Resulting from the investigation, the male driver was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm (loaded 9mm handgun) and a controlled substance (cocaine).

The male subject was booked into Orange County Jail.

SAPD police officers seized guns, drugs and cash from two probationers

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The SAPD’s AB 109 Task Force along with their Directed Patrol officers responded to the 4900 block of W. Crystal Ln. (a few blocks northeast of Mile Square Park) for a compliance check of a subject on probation.

During a search of the subject’s vehicle officers located a loaded 9mm “Ghost” gun, along with a large amount of fentanyl.

While conducting a traffic stop in the area of the 600 block of N. Harbor Blvd.,(a few blocks west of Cesar Chavez Campesino Park) SAPD MET detectives contacted two subjects in the vehicle.

The passenger advised detectives he had a firearm in his waistband and was on probation.

The subject was handcuffed and a loaded firearm was removed from his waistband.

The driver was also in possession of approximately 40 grams of narcotics and roughly, $5,000 in cash was also recovered from the vehicle.

19 indicted in massive O.C. heroin drug bust

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SANTA ANA, California – Law enforcement officials today arrested 12 defendants charged in a federal grand jury indictment with conspiring to distribute at least $2 million worth of heroin by operating two Orange County-based call centers that took telephone orders for deliveries of the drug.

The 13-count indictment returned on May 26 and unsealed today charges a total of 19 defendants with narcotics- and money laundering-related offenses. The 12 defendants who were arrested by special agents with the FBI via “Operation Horse Caller” are expected to be arraigned this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana. The seven remaining defendants are fugitives.

According to the indictment, from March 2017 to April 2021, Julio Cesar Martinez, a.k.a. “Primo,” 43, of Riverside, and his brother, Victor Martinez, a.k.a. “Hector,” 44, of Hemet, owned and operated a heroin distribution organization in Orange County, obtaining the drug from suppliers in Mexico and the United States. Heroin was transported to the organization by couriers who concealed the drug, sometimes in their body cavities, to Orange County.

Maricela Guerrero, a.k.a. “Carla,” 53, of Santa Ana, and Marla Portillo Cordova, a.k.a. “Yvette,” 34, also of Santa Ana, allegedly assisted in the daily operations of the distribution organization and, on an almost daily basis, accepted telephone orders for heroin. These four defendants allegedly directed other conspirators to deliver the heroin to buyers and collect payment in exchange for a cut of the proceeds.

The organization allegedly distributed $2 million worth of heroin. To conceal the source of the income the organization generated, from September 2013 to May 2019, Julio Cesar Martinez and Victor Martinez allegedly caused the deposit of the heroin sales proceeds into bank accounts held by Cordova and other individuals. Cordova and others, at times, allegedly structured the deposits into the bank accounts to evade federal reporting requirements by depositing the money at different banks and by breaking the deposits up into amounts $10,000 and under.

Victor Martinez allegedly directed Cordova and others to further conceal the heroin proceeds by transferring the money between various bank accounts held by family members. He also directed them to transfer heroin sales proceeds into an escrow account that was used to purchase property in Hemet for his benefit, according to the indictment.

These four defendants, along with others, are charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Victor Martinez also is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, and, along with Cordova, is charged with four counts of engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charges of conspiracy to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin each carry a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The charges of money laundering conspiracy and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activity carry statutory maximum sentences of 20 years and 10 years in federal prison, respectively.

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this matter. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the Newport Beach Police Department, the Costa Mesa Police Department, the Huntington Beach Police Department, the Oxnard Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and March Air Reserve Base provided substantial assistance. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph T. McNally and Kevin J. Butler of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Galatzan of the Asset Forfeiture Section is handling the forfeiture portion of the case.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

15 ghost guns, meth and cash were seized by police from a suspect in Orange

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The Orange Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit conducted an investigation on drug sales and illegal gun manufacturing.

Their investigation led to a search warrant and for the business in the 1700 block of N. Tustin.

Detectives recovered a pound of meth, $20,000.00 in cash, a loaded unserialized handgun, a completed unserialized AR-15, and approximately 15 milled out handguns.

The police recovered the items used for manufacturing the ghost guns.

One suspect was booked at OCJ for sales of methamphetamine, possession of handgun during sales, Illegally manufacturing firearms, and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The HB Police took $3.5M worth of illegal drugs from a Mexican trafficking organization

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An estimated $3.5 million worth of drugs is off the streets thanks to the hard work of detectives at the Huntington Beach Police Dept.

Over the last 30 days, HBPD detectives have been conducting an ongoing investigation into a large drug trafficking organization out of Mexico. The drug organization has been distributing to various locations throughout Southern California, including Orange County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of approximately 140 kilos of cocaine and heroin, 12 pounds of methamphetamine and over 1,000 fentanyl pills.

The SAPD seized ghost guns and drugs during several arrests this week

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SAPD police officers responded to reports of a man with a gun in the area of the 400 block of E. 16th Street. The officers reviewed surveillance video and confirmed the man was in possession of a firearm.

While the officers were still on scene, the suspect returned. Officers attempted to stop the suspect but he failed to yield and a vehicle pursuit ensued.

The suspect abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, discarding a handgun as he ran. Officers apprehended the suspect shortly thereafter without further incident.

SAPD police officers conducting proactive enforcement in the area of Pacific Avenue and Lingan Lane observed three subjects walking away from them as officers approached the alley. All subjects ran from the officers and one discarded an item from his waistband. The officers detained all three suspects and recovered a loaded 9mm “ghost” gun from the area.

SAPD gang detectives observed a known gang member outside an apartment complex. Upon contact, the gang member discarded a loaded firearm and was detained without incident. A 9mm “ghost” gun was recovered.

SAPD gang detectives observed an individual walking in the area of the 900 block of W. Highland Street, when the subject grabbed his front waistband area and fled.

As gang detectives pursued the subject, he discarded a loaded firearm and was detained without incident. The firearm was recovered and found to be a 9mm “ghost” gun.

While conducting a probation compliance check of a documented gang member’s residence, SAPD Directed Patrol officers and AB 109 Task Force located 3 handguns, (including a .45 caliber ghost gun), a ½ pound of methamphetamine, more than 3,000 OxyContin pills, marijuana, heroin, U.S. currency and illegal fireworks.

SAPD gang detectives received information about an active gang member in possession of illegally possessed firearms. A search warrant was obtained for his apartment and the suspect was detained without incident.

A search of the apartment was completed and detectives located (4) AR rifles, (1) 9 mm semi-automatic pistols, 9 ounces of heroin, 8 ounces of methamphetamines, weapons manufacturing tools, several extended magazines, US currency and 320 pieces of illegal fireworks.

The subject was arrested for several felony violations and transported to the Santa Ana Jail.