Thread: $34 million in meth seized in San Jose, CA. bust

March 2, 2012

$34 million in meth seized in San Jose bust

(03-02) 21:28 PST San Jose, Calif. (AP) --

Federal drug agents say they've seized an estimated $34 million worth of methamphetamine from a San Jose apartment.

A spokesman for the Drug Enforcement Administration says the discovery of 750 pounds of meth comes after Palo Alto police detectives had gone to the apartment on Thursday as part of an investigation into stolen iPads.

DEA Special Agent Casey Rettig says the detectives found the meth as they searched the home for the stolen iPads.

When DEA agents were called in, they sent in a special laboratory team. DEA investigators believe the apartment was being used as a methamphetamine conversion laboratory, where methamphetamine was being converted to an "ice" or to crystal form.

Three people were arrested. Their names have not been released

A number of stolen items believed to have been stolen in Palo Alto were also recovered from the apartment.

$34 million worth of meth found in San Jose

​another slant to illegal immigration http://bit.ly/dVkcwD

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 02, 2012
Contact: DEA Public Affairs
Number: 415-436-7994

One of the Largest Methamphetamine Seizures in American History
--750 Pounds Seized in San Jose, California--

MAR 02 - (San Jose, CA) — Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Anthony D. Williams, Palo Alto Police Department Chief Dennis Burns, San Jose Police Department Chief Chris Moore, and Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen announced one of the largest domestic methamphetamine seizures in history.

On March 1, 2012, detectives from the Palo Alto Police Department Investigative Services Division were following up on a case involving stolen iPads. Their investigation led them to an apartment located on the 4400 block of the Woods Drive in San Jose, California. Detectives conducted a preliminary search of the residence for the stolen property and observed a large quantity of methamphetamine. Detectives contacted the San Jose Police Department and Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office for assistance, who subsequently contacted the DEA San Jose Resident Office.

A state search warrant was obtained for the location. As law enforcement began to conduct an initial search of the residence they found what they believed was a methamphetamine conversion laboratory, where methamphetamine was being converted to an “ice” or crystal form. Ice methamphetamine has the appearance that is often described as that of broken glass or shattered ice and is ingested by smoking. A DEA Clandestine Laboratory Team responded to the location for processing.

As a result of the investigation officers seized approximately 750 pounds of methamphetamine, with a street value of $34 million. Multiple items believed to be stolen from Palo Alto were recovered from the location as well. Three individuals were arrested on state drug violations. All aspects of the investigation are ongoing.

###

Drug Enforcement Administration Home