Last night, Directed Enforcement Officers were conducting proactive enforcement in the area of 1500 E. 1st Street when they contacted a man in possession of methamphetamine and on probation with search terms, according to the SAPD.
Through their investigation, officers learned the man was renting a room at the Royal Roman Motel and seized:
- 582 grams of methamphetamine
- 48 grams of fentanyl
- 8 grams of cocaine
- 293 pills of various narcotics
- 89 rounds of ammunition
- $525 in cash
- A stolen motorcycle
As a result of the investigation, two suspects were arrested and booked at the Santa Ana Jail.
Here is our favorite review of the Royal Roman Motel, on Google: “This place is like the worst place ever Its over price and drugs everywhere. The place was raided by Santa Ana police just the other day. I was so ready to leave but already paid for my room. Don’t stay here you will regret it the roaches have more freedom then the guest..stay away.”
The Royal Roman Motel is located at 1504 E 1st St, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
Penalties for Possession of Illegal Narcotics in California
In California, the penalties for possession of methamphetamine and cocaine can vary based on several factors, including the amount possessed and any prior criminal history.
Methamphetamine Possession
Simple possession (for personal use) is typically a misdemeanor. The penalties can include:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
If you have prior convictions for certain serious crimes, the charge can be elevated to a felony, with potential penalties of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,0001.
Cocaine Possession
Simple possession of cocaine is also generally a misdemeanor. The penalties can include:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
Similar to methamphetamine, if you have prior serious convictions, the charge can be elevated to a felony with more severe penalties.
Fentanyl Possession
In California, the penalties for possession of fentanyl are similar to those for other controlled substances like methamphetamine and cocaine:
Simple possession (for personal use) is generally a misdemeanor. The penalties can include:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- A fine of up to $1,000
If you have prior convictions for certain serious crimes, the charge can be elevated to a felony, with potential penalties of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Diversion Programs
As with other controlled substances, California offers diversion programs for eligible individuals. These programs allow you to avoid jail time by completing a substance abuse treatment program.
Again at the Royal Roman! And again: why is this place not declared a public nuisance and shut down! According to publicly available articles of incorporation, the Royal Roman Motel, along with the adjacent Royal Grand Motel across the street, and the Bel Aire Motel (another drug den) in Tustin appear to all be owned by the same person or family. So clearly, operating squalid motels that are injurious to the health and safety of the community is their business model– and it is likely quite lucrative. The people should not tolerate this; we should demand our officials act to hold slum lords accountable for the damage they cause (or allow to be caused) in the community. Santa Ana has far more slum lords than it needs.