A half million dollars worth of cocaine allegedly intended to be distributed in Santa Monica was seized by local police and federal drug enforcement agents last week.
The Santa Monica Police Office of Special Enforcement Narcotics Unit and Los Angeles DEA agents arrested two Los Angeles men in a Westchester home on Aug. 8, where 19 kilos of cocaine, marijuana and weapons were found, said SMPD Lt. P.J. Guido.
After months of undercover narcotics investigation, SMPD officers and DEA agents arrested Jaime Delgadillo, 26, and Salvador Lopez, 23, at Delgadillo’s home at the 8500 block of Glider Avenue in Westchester. They were arrested and booked into the Santa Monica Jail. Delgadillo’s bail was set at $100,000 and Lopez’ bail was $500,000.
The two men are suspected of allegedly supplying illegal narcotics to the Los Angeles and Santa Monica areas.
Police anticipate others involved in the drug ring will be arrested in the future as the investigation continues.
“Based on their undercover work and informants, the officers received the information that the drugs were allegedly going to be supplied to a Santa Monica dealer,” Guido said. “These are the rewards of good police work, but the work is not done.”
Lopez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy, resisting arrest and intentional death to a service dog. When law enforcement officers served the search warrant, Lopez attempted to escape. Officers from Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, El Segundo, and Los Angeles Airport police assisted with the search. Police set up a perimeter and Lopez was found by a Beverly Hills K-9 dog a few hours later hiding in bushes near Delgadillo’s home on the 8700 block of Yorktown Avenue. Lopez allegedly kicked the dog when he resisted arrest.
Delgadillo was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession and intent to sell marijuana and possession of a firearm. A gun was found on his person at the time of the search.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 17, 2002. Read the original PDF.