Probe of Drug Sales Near Schools Nets 23 Arrests

A three-month police undercover drug investigation into sales at sites near city schools has led to the arrests of 23 people, San Diego police said Wednesday.

The investigation ended in May, but police delayed announcement of the arrests while officers sought dealers who were still at large, police spokesman Bill Robinson said.

Most of the 23 were arrested in connection with marijuana sales. The investigation began in March and focused on drug dealers at sites near schools that were frequented by students, including fast-food restaurants and convenience stores, Robinson said.

“Definitely, when you take this many people dealing drugs to high school students off the streets, you would call it a success,” Lt. Anthony (Skip) DeCerchio said.

Undercover officers made 70 buys from 59 dealers, six of whom were juveniles, Robinson said.

The drugs purchased were primarily small amounts of marijuana, “crack” cocaine and methamphetamines, although one buy was for a quarter pound of methamphetamine.

All the purchases by undercover police were made off campus, Robinson said, so school officials were not notified.

The number of schools involved was not specified, but the sites were near Madison, Point Loma and San Diego high schools, San Diego City College and Twain Continuation School.

Many of those arrested were apprehended in May near City College and San Diego High School.