Police make ‘large’ seizure of drugs, arrest suspected dealer at his Glendale home

Police reportedly seized more than 11 pounds of opium, nearly 2 pounds of heroin, and roughly half a pound of blue-and-purple methamphetamine from the home of a 55-year-old Glendale man who was out on bail on drug-dealing charges.

Investigators and a police dog on Tuesday afternoon searched Mardik Baghomian’s home in the 2000 block of Glenwood Road — where he lives with his wife and two teenage children — after which they seized the drugs, along with a scale, packaging materials and other evidence that he was dealing, said Glendale Police Det. John Balian.

“It has been a while that we have had a seizure this large coming from our city,” Balian said.

The detective first began investigating Baghomian last year after getting a tip from a patrol officer, which reportedly led to Baghomian’s arrest last year and the seizure of roughly 14 pounds of opium. Baghomian was released from police custody after posting bail.

Just two months ago, he was held to answer to four counts of possessing a controlled substance for sale in connection with last year’s arrest. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Meanwhile, Baghomian stayed on Balian’s radar as the detective logged numerous complaints from local residents about the suspected drug dealer, whose customers mostly live in Glendale.

“This individual dealing opium and heroin on a big scale like this, you know, destroys a lot of families within Glendale, Burbank and surrounding cities,” Balian said. “If somebody has an addiction to heroin or opium, I suggest they go and get treated.”

Baghomian’s related drug-dealing convictions in Los Angeles County date back to 2001, when he was convicted of one count of transporting or selling a controlled substance, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records. In 2009, he was convicted of possessing a controlled substance for sale.

Baghomian was arrested at his home Tuesday and is being held without bail.

Anyone with information about Baghomian or other incidents involving drug sales is asked to call Glendale police at (818) 548-3120.

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek