San Diego

A 23-year-old nephew of Mayor Maureen O’Connor was arrested Thursday night and booked for possession of cocaine for sale, San Diego police said.

Mathew Patrick O’Connor was arrested at an Erie Street residence at 7 p.m. after police bought drugs undercover at the house and obtained a search warrant. Police seized 1/16th of an ounce of cocaine--valued at $200 to $300--$8,700 in cash, one mini-14 rifle and a 9mm handgun, police said. Mathew O’Connor was one of five occupants of the house and the only one arrested. He was released Friday on $2,000 bail.

“We had information that some sales had been taking place from that location, and we arranged for a controlled buy to take place,” said Cmdr. Larry Gore, commander of special operations. “We handled it just like any other narcotics investigation.”

Mathew is the son of Patrick O’Connor of San Diego, the mayor’s brother.

“I was personally saddened to learn of the drug-related arrest of my nephew Mathew O’Connor,” the mayor said in a prepared statement. “My heart goes out to his parents. That he is a member of my extended family simply underscores that substance abuse is a problem that respects no bounds in our society. I am more than ever resolved to redouble my efforts to effectively address this pervasive issue.”