4th Suspect Sought in $1.5-Million Coke Bust

Burbank police are searching for a fourth suspect in the wake of the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of 10 pounds of cocaine valued at $1.5 million, police said. It was the largest quantity of cocaine ever seized by the department, Sgt. Don Goldberg said Monday.

Arrested Friday on suspicion of conspiracy to distribute cocaine were Oscar Sovino, 34, of Los Angeles, Luis G. Cardona, 33, of Vancouver, B.C., and David Beal, 27, of Encino. Sovino and Cardona were arrested at Sovino’s apartment and Beal was arrested at his home, Goldberg said.

The cocaine was discovered at an apartment rented by Sovino near his home, Goldberg said. The cocaine, which was inside a hidden compartment in the kitchen and locked in two briefcases in the bedroom, was 95% pure, he said.

Police also found $40,000 at Sovino’s apartment, Goldberg said.

Although the seizure was in Los Angeles, Burbank police handled the case because authorities believe the cocaine was being distributed in that city, Goldberg said.

He said the investigation began two weeks ago after police received information that a drug ring had been operating for a year.

Each of the three men was held at Burbank Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.