Oceanside Undercover Operation Nets 30 Arrests for Drugs
In San Diego’s Oceanside area, after a 6 month undercover drug sting operation, 30 people were arrested last Thursday on drug charges or Possession for Sales.
Most of the arrested were gang members that had prior records for violent crimes.
Authorities had seven search warrants, seized two vehicles, $8500.00 in cash and a firearm. “They’re no longer in the streets,” said Ralph Patridge, special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Diego office. “They’re behind bars,” he said.
After many complaints from the Oceanside community about drugs being sold in the downtown streets, Oceanside police Chief Frank McCoy needed assistance from the DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team.
The sting operation was called “Operation Rock Solid” which encompassed more than 200 law enforcement officers from several agencies were sent undercover to purchase illegal drugs such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy and marijuana.
More than a half-pound of crack cocaine, two ounces of methamphetamine, several pounds of marijuana and 500 ecstasy pills were seized by Oceanside detectives and special DEA agents during the raid.
According to special agent Patridge, while the number of the drugs seized is not particularly significant, “what’s significant is the people who were trafficking these drugs were violent gang members in your city.”
There are thirteen people still remain at large. Six of the more than 30 arrested have been charges with federal drug crimes.
More than 30 arrested on drug charges after 6-month probe, San Diego Union Tribune, February 26,2009
If you have been arrested and charged with a drug crime in San Diego and need to have legal representation, the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the San Diego Law Center can fight for your case. Choosing the criminal defense lawyers at the San Diego Law Center to represent you is one of the best choices you can make.
