Narcotics Division
In 2011, the DA’s Narcotics Division continued its extraordinary cooperation with other law enforcement agencies to prosecute illegal drug-related offenses. Led by Division Chief Tom Manning and Assistant Chief Steve Walter, notable prosecutions during the year included:
Operation May Day
In May 2011, the San Diego Police Department’s Central Division Narcotics Team 8 initiated “Operation May Day,” a project designed to combat street-level drug dealing and associated crimes in the East Village of downtown San Diego. Over the next several weeks, undercover detectives purchased rock cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and prescription drugs from street dealers. Deputy District Attorneys Michael Zachry and Ramin Tohidi provided legal counsel throughout the operation. Beginning in July 2011, Zachry and Tohidi presented 44 cases to the county grand jury and received indictments against 69 defendants. Arresting officers began a sweep in late July. To date 63 defendants have been apprehended, the six outstanding have active warrants in place. Many defendants have lengthy criminal histories, often including prior drug convictions, violent assaults and strike offenses. Nearly half of the defendants sentenced thus far have received prison sentences.
Operation Shadow Box
The El Cajon Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration's Mobile Enforcement Team joined forces to combat street-level narcotics dealers and their suppliers during an eight-month undercover operation. Operatives made more than 140 narcotic buys and made 63 arrests for drug trafficking. Thirteen pounds of methamphetamine, four pounds of ecstasy, more than a ton of marijuana, as well as quantities of cocaine, heroin, and various diverted pharmaceuticals were seized. Additionally, the operation netted 34 firearms, including semi-automatic rifles, four explosive devices, vehicles and more than $630,000 and three luxury cars. Prosecutions are being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office and Deputy District Attorney Mary-Ellen Barrett, who was recently selected by the California Narcotic Officer Association as their Narcotics Prosecutor of the Year.
During the year, the District Attorney’s Asset Forfeiture and JUDGE Units handled eight bulk currency smuggling prosecutions. These cases were submitted by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents and were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Jon Oliphant and Ramin Tohidi. Five defendants pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to date. In total, $454,003 was seized for forfeiture. Our office submitted a request to share half of these proceeds. Forfeiture has been completed with respect to three of the cases, with forfeiture of the remainder currently in process.
he division continues to direct San Diego County’s JUDGE Program (Jurisdictions United for Drug and Gang Enforcement). The program consists of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who target high-risk felons. In addition, the Narcotics Division runs the treatment side of drug cases in Drug Court and Proposition 36 Court, federal and state asset forfeiture matters, and assists law enforcement with proactive projects in specific high-crime areas.
