Narcotics Officers Get Stung Before the Deal

It was supposed to be a routine sting operation.

Narcotics investigators checked out several bags of cocaine from the evidence locker. Posing as sellers, they planned to use the high-quality drug to catch a gang of dope buyers.

But it was the narcotics officers who got stung instead.

To the surprise and chagrin of police, the cocaine--nearly 11 pounds--had been exchanged surreptitiously for worthless powder.

It happened 16 months ago, and authorities still do not know who might have made off with the real thing and left the fake.

Police Chief Daryl Wicker confirmed Wednesday that his department and the Orange County district attorney’s office have been conducting a quiet but unsuccessful inquiry into the theft since it happened in September, 1990.

“I wish I could tell you by tomorrow that I have the little mother in handcuffs,” Wicker said. Police officials believe that it could have been an inside job. Wicker said the theft was not made public earlier for fear of compromising the investigation. “I don’t know who it is, but we won’t give up until we’ve found him.”

Narcotics detectives had borrowed the coke from Fullerton police, Wicker said, and after one bust, it was returned to the evidence locker, secured by two locked doors and a cage.

Several weeks later, narcotics officers tested the cocaine before another sting operation and found that much of it had been exchanged for powder.

Wicker would not say how much of the nearly five kilos was taken. A kilo is worth $11,500 on the street, he added.

The undercover officers might have been put in peril if the drug dealers had found that it was fake coke, Wicker said.

The district attorney’s office has been investigating, said Deputy Dist. Atty. John Conley. No one has been arrested. He would not say whether they have identified any suspects, but added that the case is “very voluminous.”

Wicker said 10 people, including police officers and non-sworn property clerks, have access to the locker. Everyone with a key has been interviewed, and is being questioned again this week.

Wicker was dismayed to think that a police employee could be responsible.

“Public trust is so important and to have this happen is incredible. It’s an incredible breach of trust.”