Drug Bust 101
FRIDAY UPDATE
Bonds for those arrested in the big San Diego State drug sting range from $10,000 to $150,000, many accused have already pled not guilty. This comes as a professor at San Diego State tells the Union-Tribune newspaper that she’s concerned the school’s president Stephen Weber “unilaterally authorized” the Drug Enforcement Administration to conduct the operation. According to reports, “Now it’s drugs,” says Carole Kennedy, a political science professor who heads the faculty union. “Maybe next time it’s about political dissent … What happens when you have students talking about federal income tax policy, saying they’re not going to pay their taxes? Are they going to bring in IRS agents?”
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
We are getting ready for Greta’s show and we’ll be talking beforehand with Deputy District Attorney Damon Mosler. He’s appearing right after our report as our live is slated for about 10:06pm (7:06pm Pacific). Damon tells me about the strong cooperation between the DA, DEA and campus police. He explains the DA in San Diego County was approached last September to get involved in this investigation, one he believes is the largest bust ever on any college campus. He like the DEA believes that more arrests could come as all the avenues are followed.
WEDNESDAY LATE UPDATE
Just got off the phone with a contact at the DEA. They are obviously swamped with the ongoing investigation and the background parts of the case. They say more arrests are very possible, nothing like the magnitude we just saw with this bust, but groups of a couple here, four there etc. could go down as the pieces of the drug puzzle are put together.
They are looking at the connections with the Mexican drug cartels. At this point it looks like the gang banger from LA was the connection into the states.
They can’t comment about any investigations that may or may not be ongoing at other colleges. So far this drug web has not spread to other schools.
The DEA agent I spoke with says they hope this bust reminds people about the dangers of drugs and that parents need to communicate and stay informed of what their children are doing even when they are in college.
WEDNESDAY MORNING
While the crackdown at San Diego State may not be a surprise to some students we’ve spoken to here in San Diego, others are obviously worried about future ramifications when they go job hunting. Several seniors have mentioned they are happy that drugs are off the streets, but will this massive raid transcend into their job hunt? Will potential employers look at a candidate and remember what happened here and then not hire a San Diego State grad?
While those questions are still to be answered, we have learned a few new details. First, there is a connection between the drugs running through this campus and the Mexican cartels. The border is a very short drive from campus and the story of the cartels and their prowess in nearby Tijuana is one that we’ve covered many times in recent months. Secondly, this investigation is not over and more people could be taken into custody at any time. There is also no coincidence that the raids came down as finals week begins. Many students head home after tests, or on trips and if agents wanted to get their men/women, there was a definite time element involved.
We got the word as the raids began early yesterday morning. My colleague Anita Vogel reported on developments as our crew grabbed our stuff and headed south. I was in Northern California for a day off and headed to the airport to fly south to San Diego where I met our team of Producer Chris Spinder and Photographer Keith Railey.
Together we left early this morning, about 5am, and headed to campus where the reaction from student is still fresh and the investigations is still very warm. More info to come throughout the day.
Hi Adam, was able to catch the news conference on this yesterday. Sounds like it was an extensive investigation. Kudos to the university President for calling in law enforcement.
My hope is the college dealers will learn from this and go on to make something good of their lives. As for the cartel dealer, I hope they are able to obtain more info from him and locate the growing operation. (could thsat have been in the foreclosing homes in Fontana?).
Adam
Per your request, I am leaving a comment on your new site
Great reporting this morning, as usual - Did leave you questions on the Housley comment line
Great reporting Adam Housley…..
Hey moderators…………..Here’s Johnny……can Johnny come in and play?
Cool……first one in. Kind of lonely here though………..where is everybody? Patty, KC, Susan, Derek, LDG, Retread………where are you guys?
Oh no, wait……….it’s a trap………..ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I’m spinning……spinning……….it’s, it’s Bill O’s Spin Factory. Go back everyone…….back.
John-
Only you can post like this. Do you think Mr. O would let me, or for that matter YOU….on his site!?
Adam
Marie taking the plunge. Have I passed muster?
As for your remark about future employers not hiring someone who is a graduate of San Diego State, I’d like to think they would be less biased than that. Guilt by association is so passe, but then, who knows, stranger things have happened.
Adam… hope this comment section gets rolling soon. Miss our tete a tetes!!
*dragging my feet…kicking and screaming*
ok, ok, Im here Adam.
I”ll sit over here in the corner and wait for approval.
Marie and Patty-
WELCOME! See it’s not so bad. At least so far!
Adam
John
Still trying to come in and play - third post
What is the secret????
Wow, still not here huh?. You guys must really be bad news…………..or you’re Democrats.
Guess we are bad news - they only like you John - And Iam not a democrat so I should be approved.
4th post now - maybe one will show up (I need to quit posting - I am starting to look like Susan hehehe)
Hey, you guys made it………good, now I can go to work for a bit.
John - not all posts came thru, but maybe, we are now here
Tamera - You betcha - your man does a great job of reporting
OK - Iam happy now, posts instantly like before
WELCOME ALL TO ADAM’S NEW SITE - TIME TO ROCK AND ROLL
Hey, we made the Housley circle! Now let’s see if we can chat like we used to! Time to play!!
I guess I’ll have to take back my discrimination remark on the other thread, huh?
Patty, Happy Birthday!!
Marie
We never take back what we say - They just misunderstood us - right
So the last shall be first, and the first last….
I’m here, or am I?
Hi, Adam. Thanks for your reporting. I am a Regional Counselor for one of the fraternities involved and, needless to say, national HQ is not happy. Heck, we’ve had a strict “no alcohol” house policy for years - drugs were always verbotten - but just like the parents of these kids, we can’t control what a 19 or 20 year old kid decides to do in the wee hours of the morning.
Just a shame for everyone involved.
David-
Thanks for the input. You are right, it is such a shame and it also ruins it for those guys who didn’t do the wrong thing, who didn’t break the law and the rules. I posted an update at the top where the DEA talks about some of this.
Adam
*settling in to make myself at home*
Rock’in and Roll’in as KC suggested.
Phew, that was a lot of work.
Hiya Miss Darvette!! Nice to “see” you. We have missed seeing you around.
Watched the News conference and it was “silly”! It was a photo op for a Jr DA trying to make a name for himself. They had a table with a bunch of bags of weed on it and some blow for dramatic effect. Too bad they didn’t have a hundred people standing around the table to put that little pile into perspective.
Okay I am with Patty! I am here, I like the font better over there<<<<<<<<<! Darvette so glad you popped in! Marie hiya!
Oh, on fox’s front page. The picture of 19 yr old Jenny Poliakoff, died 1 yr ago from drugs on this campus. What a beautiful girl/woman. My heart goes out to her parents and family.
fun new site…woohooo
Are you serious? Will someone refuse to hire a former SDSU graduate because of their attendance at the time of a drug bust? Which student thinks this incident will matter to anyone except the folks arrested. Or, is that some lame “fake” worry that the “blogger” came up with? I suppose if someone in my dorm steals a library book I can count on my rejection letter from Barnes and Noble to arrive shortly.
Dirk-
I am just repeating what we have heard from a number of students. Not my opinion, maybe if you question it, then come ask around for yourself.
Adam
sgt shot = Derek
Patty
Her death is what sparked this secret investigation with the frat houses, etc. Her mother and brother were on TV this morning and they had no knowledge whatsoever that this was being investigated. So the cops or whomever did not even share that info with them. They are very happy that their daughter and sisters death did not go un-noticed and are thankful that maybe someone else will be saved in the future because of this investigation.
I am glad Adam is reporting on this because we will get all of the facts from him
Derek
You gave me a fright - don’t go changing your handle without pre-warning us.
How are those presidents sons of yours-keeping you busy I’m sure
By the way, I am having a smoke in your honor at the moment. Seems every time I light up, I think of you
Derek is back. I stepped on the landmine in the other thread to see if I could get it to go off, we will have to see
John ~ LOL!
Patty ~ I saw on this post and another one on the old site that people are wishing you a “happy birthday”. I hope you had a good one.
Derek..idenity crisis?
did you think they wouldnt let you in, if they knew it was you? ha ha
Thanks Becky and Marie. Yesterday was a good day
and today is too for that matter.
TESTING
That could NEVER happen at Pepperdine! LoL, wink wink, nudge nudge.
socal-
WATCH IT!! Of course it could NEVER happen in the surf crowd that you hung with also.
Adam
I hope other colleges and places follow suit and cut down on drug use etc. People know the risks and punishments with drugs etc, so lets crack down and show them a lesson by cracking down and imposing big punishments for these acts. I am sad that someone had to lose their life for them to act, but she was also the one who chose to do the drugs.
Any time you do coke or a drug like that you know there’s a chance you can die. I refuse to feel sorry for the girl that died. Stupidity isn’t an accident!
Avi………..haven’t you had enough tests already?
Jenny’s death is tragic indeed and I’m glad the investigation brings some sort of closure for her parents. But there must have been some suspicion of this going on at the campus before she died. Rarely does law enforcement go to these lenghts for a single death. Jenny’s death just gave law enforcement the go ahead with an all out investigation into what they probably already suspected was a large scale operation.
did they catch the people who FORCED DRUGS AND ALCOHOL DOWN JENNY’S THROAT? as long as theres a WANT for drugs it will never go away. the person to blame is jenny herself not the people who sold it to her?
Joe and a couple of others-
True, Jenny does have blame. But those who make it easy and available are the catalyst to the problem and should be caught and punished.
Adam
lol…
Actually my personality has finally split, I grew a second head out my shoulder and well…now my shirts don’t fit right
LOL..
actually my personality finally split…it was painful and a second head grew out of my shoulder, but all is well, except my shirts don’t fit right
and my postings under derek don’t appear…wierd, I always thought adam liked my constant ridicule of everything housley
John
I believe I read where a 22 year old guy died of an overdose in February in one of the frat houses so I would assume that helped start the investigation also.
I wonder if we were approved on another ‘on the scene blog’ we can get straight in.
There is also no coincidence that the raids came down as finals week begins. Many students head home after tests, or on trip…
So many of the students were going to take trips after the finals? I guess that’s why they had so many drugs.
Max-
I don’t know if that’s the case Max. Here in the states, many students go home for the summer, or go off to work. That makes the investigation and arrests more difficult.
Adam
yay, it went right through
That wouldn’t be fair to the students to not get hired because of the doings of someone else!
I like these automatic possibly related stories—
Project is definitely on!!! (everyone) I am going to get busy next week-
John— are you sure you want me to use the horse’s picture?
Patty- I am headed to the post office! to send out your two weeks ago thought!
can we still do trivia here?
I don’t think the kids that got busted have realized how this is going to impact their lives. Their lives are just starting and they have felony records that will eliminate you from state & government jobs alone not to mention other companies as well.
I’m glad the parents of the deceased girl has more of a closure now and hopefully to that family the lives that have been changed and hopefully lessons learned will give that family something to smile about once again.
TESTING
One out of three went through
SDSU has had a huge drug dealing problem for decades and has gotten worse because the administration of the university has chosen to look the other way. In fact, the campus living situation is set up ideally for alcohol and drug use. A few years ago, my daughter attended SDSU as a commuter student. She had friends that lived on campus and visited them. During one visit, she was attacked and chased by some drunken men. This was in the Living and Learning Center, a place that was supposed to shelter and nurture new students as a transition between high school and college. I complained to campus security, made phone calls to the LLC, and wrote letters to the president of the university. What happened? The RA’s of the LLC did nothing, the supervisor in charge of the RA’s said they’d look into it, and the president of SDSU went on TV two weeks later bragging about the safety and low drug use at SDSU! So I did a little research and found out these facts: One of the campus security people had been a major drug distributor at a local high school, the RA’s were partying with the students in the dorms, there was a resident drug dealer on the second floor of the Living and Learning Center, underage students were bringing in alcohol right under the noses of the RA’s and no one was doing anything about the staggering, vomiting drunk and high students passed out in the hallways. I accompanied my daughter one night to campus and stood outside the Living and Learning Center for an hour. I saw a couple bring in two bags obviously containing several six-packs of beer, drunken students shouting and hanging out of the windows and nothing was being done. This was during the week and not even on a weekend. One of my daughter’s friends got caught up in the wrong crowd at the LLC and was caught with alcohol in his room. What was done? A hand slap, a little verbal warning. He went on to try some of the drugs being sold in his building and got caught again with drugs by the SDPD, arrested and the news was on the front page of the SDSU Aztec. What was done? Nothing. He wasn’t put on academic probation, wasn’t expelled, wasn’t required to leave the dorm, wasn’t put into counseling. I’m sorry to say the last I’ve heard of him was that he developed a serious drug addiction that he’s still fighting. And this was what he learned at the Living and Learning Center! If this is what happens to students in a protected environment, what happens to those in frat houses that are less supervised? My daughter applied to another university and transferred there. I am happy to say that she didn’t encounter the drug problems at that school. Shame on SDSU and shame on Dr. Weber. He was warned about this years ago and did nothing. What a liar he is when he pretends he knew nothing. I know better. I personally wrote several letters to him and nothing changed. The drug dealings, deaths and addictions are his own creation.
SD Native-
I of course cannot confirm your story, but some of your complaints in general have been expressed by some of the students here at SDSU. I know this….this bust and investigation began with SDSU contacting DEA and getting the ball rolling. Did they come to their senses? Had they been warned or had they been looking the other way? I don’t know that, but the investigation will reveal some of the answers, likely not all.
Adam
I had to change my name back-
project is still on– I am going to start next week checking out the how!
Patty- I am headed to the post office in a few–
Adam–
what about the students who are not involved in drugs? Why would this affect them looking for a job? What about drug testing?
HI Darvette!
I like the possibly related posts idea! (automatically generated)
John– you sure you want me to use the horse’s picture for the project?
Welcome Everyone….including Sgt Shot.
I do have more information. Working it now and will post soon.
Adam
The San Diego District Attorney released the photo’s of the arrested dealers and other information which can be seen at californiadrugdealer.com
This is off topic, but there have been earthquakes in Japan … including Tokyo.
MORE SHAKING: LATE NIGHT QUAKES ROCK JAPAN… 6.8 MAG…
Wonder how our friend LDG is doing? Hope all is well.
It’s good to see people migrating to this new blog.
Marie–
I have to email LDG– Thanks for the heads up! I hope he is ok!
I was just going around in circles here– I guess we can continue to post on the old threads–
How come some of Adam’s older threads posted here have comments by people who made these at the time but were not posted on the old forum? I see a bunch of new people and yet these comments were not on the old blog! I am way lost!
Can we still get into the original or are they going to do away with the old posts?
There is one comment on the avocado thread, here, Sunshine, who also mentioned the golf courses and the water– I believe you said something about this too in the old blog–
the president sons are very well, they have turned into 3 little beach bums, my youngest (Lincoln), has my skin, so he is getting dark, the other two (Jackson and Ford), have the wifey’s skin, so they stay pale all the time. but all three LOVE the beach and we end up going a couple times a week, I have been voted the “fun dad” by all the neighbor kids because I like to play soccer with them, I go to the beach, I ride rollercoasters, I have bar-b-q’s that the kids actually get to attend (no booze, no craziness) and I take them all for rides on my motorcycle (no worries, we stay in the apartment parking lot and they all wear helmets) but they do not know my secret….ready for it…this is a big one…underneath my army exterior, I LOVE hanging out with my kids and their friends, and I feel honored everytime they invite me. I LOVE watching them at the beach, I LOVE playing games with them, I LOVE the innocence, curiosity, inventiveness, energy, wide eyed amazement, honesty, purity, fun loving, hard playing, craziness and joy of my kids…they absolutely amaze me and I get more from the time spent with them, than they could ever get from me.
So this weekend will be spent taking “flat stanly” (from a friend in Utah) to the beach, and around town, snapping pictures and making stories to write about, then back in the mail flat stanly goes.
There is a trivia question, who is flat stanly? any of you with first graders will know.
*shakes head*
Drugs… what a mess! Sure glad they busted these guys.
Oh yes,
great reporting… I saw ya this morning….
Good yob!!
Sgt Shot– Derek-
is this flat stanly
Stanley Lambchop is flattened when a bulletin board falls on him. He survives and makes the best of his altered state, and soon he is sliding into rooms through the opening at the bottom of closed doors and being kind to his younger brother by playing as a kite for him. Stanley even helps catch some art museum sneak thieves by posing as a painting on the wall! But one special advantage is that Flat Stanley can now visit his friends by being mailed in an envelope.
——————————————————————————————————————
I just did the rounds here– and left my mark on the threads!! LOL– (As doggies do)– except I typed!
interesting comments on the other threads I had not seen in the old blog– these must have gone directly to Fox-
Well– I see we can still do trivia– LOL
Adam–
this isn’t too bad–
Adam–
I bought a baker’s rack the other day– it is way cool— and it has a wine rack– I have to fill it up with wine bottles– I am headed off to your wine site and ordering some wine right now– Will you let me know if you get the order?
xxxx
Susan-
I’ll ask my brother. Thanks for liking the new site.
Adam
Susan-
you nailed it, so we have been caught up in the flat stanly circle for a while now, mailing and photographing my sons, and mailing and photographing friends flat Stanly from other states.
My sons flat Stanly went from Virginia to Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Washington DC and then back to Virginia.
We just received a flat Stanly from Australia, and another from utah…its kind of a big deal in a first graders world…lol
derek…our kids did something like flat stanley too! I dont remember “who” we used, but it got mailed all over the usa. somewhere at home i have “its” diary of travel.
Flat Stanley looks like a fun thing!
I just ordered four bottles of wine– is there a limit as to how many one can order? Did I order enough?
I can’t believe how reasonable the prices are– (I got my check from Bush) LOL!!!!!
Susan: sure we can still do trivia, but you got the answer so fast none of the rest of us could play
OK–
Have a good day– now it is time to get your present out Patty—
xxxx
Derek
You is a gooood dad - enjoy those precious moments with your babies - they grow up way to fast and go their own way but the memories last a life time. Someday you will be telling their kids what their dads did when they were kids.
Adam welcomed Sgt Shot above - do you think he missed the part that Sgt Shot is you??
Adam.
So great to find your BLOG! I was checking on fox for information about the San Diego Bust as my brother is down there in school. Great information. Jule’ (from V.H.S, 1989).
So wonderful to see your doing so well
Jule’
Great to hear from you. How is Washington? Thanks for stopping over and hope your brother/family is well.
Adam
I have just seen the pic of the beautiful young lady that died from an OD of coke and booze. What a waste of a young promising life. While we all must be held responsible for our life, I for one would like to see those responsible and convicted of selling this crap put away for a long long time. I have two kids in college at present and am BEGGING those of that age to take a step back and consider what you are doing to your body when you introduce too much. Think of the parents of that young woman - how do you think they feel? Would you like to put your mom and dad thru that? By all means have fun, enjoy life, but hold it dearly if you enter into too much of what you consider “fun”. We need you kids to live a full life so you can enjoy what is in store. Please take care of yourselves!
Max–
because I was the only one awake– LOL–
xxxxx
Did you get the card out? I have to get going on the project! LOL
I am just getting Patty’s present out!
Susan: I’m going to get a present for you tomorrow, i’ll send the card at the same time.
KC: i suspect Adam was just joking
Max
You got it.
Adam
Max
I think so too - just had to give him a bad time
BTW - are you feeling better now??
KC: yes, thanks.
Still not too good some of the time though.
Max
You have to be careful with that crud. The minute you think you are over it and feeling better, it zaps you right back and you are sick again. Lots of fluids and lots of rest and sleep is the best thing for you.
KC: Are you talking about the Flu or the intestinal condition?
Max
Both I guess - I read recently you stated you had the flu, but I also know you have bouts with your intestinal condition which Iam sure you try to keep a close watch on
Welcome jule’g and jeff curtis!
Its nice to see “newbies” post.
Susan…bah, your gonna make me feel guilty about the pkg. *L*
EVERYONE-
WHEW…I am caught up. I went back through and made a ton of comments on this thread.
Adam
While I feel sorrow over the loss of the lives of two students to drug overdose I totally disagree with the notion of ruining the lives of low level college drug dealers and recreational drug users by placing them behind bars. Those two students were responsible for their own drug use. The dealers and users around them never forced them to put cocaine up their noses or in their arms. These are non violent crimes committed by non violent criminals for the most part.