Drugs found in California dog care facility

On Behalf of | Jun 11, 2019 | Drug Crimes, Firm News |

Police involved in an undercover narcotics investigation took a woman and three men into custody at a dog boarding facility in Orange County on June 5. Media reports suggest that one of the men owns the facility. The four suspects have been booked on charges including suspicion of possessing drugs and suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia. According to the Fullerton Police Department, the facility was being used to provide day-care services to pet owners in the community as well as sell drugs including heroin and methamphetamine.

According to a FPD report, detectives who had been keeping the West Walnut Avenue business under observation acted when they saw an individual walk into the premises who they knew had an open warrant. A search was ordered when detectives learned that the man was living in the facility. During the search, police allegedly found about 28 grams of heroin, 1.6 grams of methamphetamine and items suggesting that the drugs were available for sale.

About 20 dogs were at the facility when the search was conducted. Reports indicate that the animals all appeared to be healthy and were left in the care of an employee who police determined was not involved in the suspected narcotics activity. Law enforcement is said to have notified Orange County Animal Care about the dogs’ situation.

Experienced criminal defense attorneys may study police reports very carefully for probable cause evidence when presented with facts like this. This is because law enforcement is only permitted to conduct searches of individuals, vehicles, businesses or residences without first obtaining a search warrant when they have probable cause to believe that evidence of drug crimes or other criminal activity will be discovered. When police are unable to provide such evidence, attorneys may seek to have the charges against their clients dismissed.

Source: KTLA 5, 4 Arrested in Drug Bust At Dog Boarding Facility in Fullerton, Anthony Kurzweil and Chip Yost, June 6, 2019