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Anaheim home raid leads to 3 arrests and seizure of drugs

Published On: 12-05-2017 in Category: drug trafficking

Detectives from the Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) conducted a probation compliance check on a home in the 2200 block of West Broadway in Anaheim on Nov. 10, 2017, leading to an arrest of three people on drug-related charges. According to CMPD spokeswoman Roxi Fyad, the detectives discovered a stockpile of illicit drugs, firearms and a stolen motor scooter. The total seizures included 101 grams of heroin, 12 grams of methamphetamine, small amounts of cocaine and ecstasy, drug paraphernalia, over $3,000 in cash, ammunition, four high-capacity magazines and a Honda Ruckus scooter that was reported stolen in October 2017.

The accused were identified as 26-year-old Jerit Ray Wohlford, his 25-year-old girlfriend Mychelle Renee Ross and their roommate 33-year-old Brighton Ellithorpe. Earlier, the detectives had observed Wohlford dabbling in drug-related activities in the parking lot of the house, media reports said.

Fyad said that serving a search warrant to raid an Anaheim storage unit belonging to Wohlford, police discovered yet more boxes of ammunition, an AR-15 assault rifle, six handguns, a bolt-action rifle and two shotguns. Both Wohlford and Ross were later taken into custody on several drug-related charges. Besides, Wohlford was also charged for additional offenses such as auto theft, unlawful possession of weapons as well as receiving stolen property. Ellithorpe, who was arrested on two outstanding warrants, was later released on bail.

Drug overdoses on the rise across Orange County

Being a part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Anaheim is covered by the Los Angeles HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) region, which consists of the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside. In recent years, the city of Anaheim in Orange County has evolved as a hub for transportation and distribution of controlled substances within California as well as in other U.S. states.

Owing to California’s geographical proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, Mexican drug cartels rule the drug-trafficking scene via criminal gangs operating across the state, particularly in the Latino-dominated neighborhoods of Orange, San Diego and Los Angeles counties. It is not an unfamiliar scene in Orange County to see federal agencies cooperating with local law enforcement bodies to introduce tougher measures to break the strongholds of drug cartels. Officials say that the dreaded Sinaloa cartel and La Familia Michoacana are the two major players who control all drug-trafficking activities in these areas.

Studies show most of gangs operating in Orange and the neighboring counties owe their high rates of success to the cheap drug supplies and focused distribution tactics when compared to the rest of the U.S. No wonder, there are several stash houses dotting the Orange County landscape, where traffickers stash different drugs before transporting the consignments to other cities in the north. In fact, officials say that drug addiction trends in Orange County serve as national indicators. Although meth has been the drug of choice in these places, there has been a surge in prescription opioid misuse and heroin abuse in recent years.

Leading a drug-free life

If you or your loved one is battling addiction to any harmful drug, seek treatment immediately. The Anaheim Drug Treatment and Rehab Center can help you get one of the best addiction treatment programs and embrace sobriety. You may call at our 24/7 helpline number 714-589-2811 for more information on different treatment options in your vicinity.