Dozens arrested in North County drug investigation

By Michelle Breier
Monday, December 20, 2010 at 4:17 p.m.

Nearly 100 suspects have been arrested, and cash, drugs and weapons have been seized in a monthslong North County narcotics investigation, Escondido police announced Monday.

A team from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s San Diego office launched Operation Hidden Valley in May, targeting drug traffickers and gangs in Escondido and elsewhere in North County.

The DEA team worked with two special Escondido police units.

So far, 86 suspects have been identified and more than 1,300 pieces of evidence have been seized, police said.

Last month, Escondido officers and DEA agents arrested 59 suspects and issued 27 arrest warrants. Defendants are being prosecuted in federal or state court, depending on the charges or the quantity of drugs or weapons sold.

Operation Hidden Valley is ongoing, and additional arrests and seizures of drugs, weapons and money are expected, police said.

Seizures so far include: 35 firearms; 35.5 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $639,000; 1.44 pounds of cocaine valued at $14,400; 4.33 pounds of marijuana valued at $12,990; 0.6 pounds of heroin valued at $13,440; 250 hits of LSD valued at $5,000; 3,000 prescription pills; 40 Ecstasy pills valued at $600; and $99,281 in cash.

The DEA team, called the Mobile Enforcement Team, works with local law enforcement agencies to bring in federal resources, said Escondido police Lt. Chris Wynn. He added that the department has worked with the team before.

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