20 Indicted in S.D. Drug Probe

An undercover drug investigation in Pacific Beach by San Diego police has led to county grand jury indictments of 20 people, police said Friday.

Four juveniles were also charged by the district attorney’s office following a two-month investigation that centered on the 2200 block of Grand Avenue in Pacific Beach, police said. The investigation stemmed from complaints by local residents of drug dealing in their neighborhood.

San Diego Police Lt. Jim Caster of the narcotics street team said that, during the investigation, two undercover officers made numerous purchases of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana, ranging from $20 to $40 per sale. The drug sales were recorded on videotape.

“At first, this looks like just a bunch of unrelated, small-time dope peddlers, but the officers were able to show that this is a little network of offenders who all know each other,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Dave Williams said.

Those indicted included both drug dealers and suppliers, some with histories for burglary, drug sales, auto theft and gang activity, police said. As of Friday, 12 defendants had been taken into police custody and they are expected to be arraigned early next week.