Man Ordered to Stand Trial in Seizure of 230 Pounds of Cocaine

A San Diego man arrested one month ago when police found the largest cache of cocaine ever seized by local authorities was ordered to stand trial Friday on charges of possessing drugs for sale.

More than 230 pounds of cocaine in 1-kilogram packages was found in the garage of a Bay Park house that had been rented by Ceasar Lopez, 38, according to evidence presented during a short preliminary hearing in San Diego Municipal Court.

After police served a search warrant at the house, authorities found the cocaine in a Ford Bronco parked in the detached garage, according to San Diego police Detective Robert Connaughy. The packages were found in a gym bag and door panels, he said.

Under questioning by defense attorney Michael J. McCabe, Connaughy said the Bronco had Arizona license plates and was registered to a man who lived in Nogales, Ariz.

Judge William Woodward refused to allow McCabe to ask questions related to the validity of the search warrant.

After the hearing, McCabe said that neither the search warrant nor Lopez, who was home when the warrant was served, gave authorization to search the vehicle.

A conviction of the charge of possessing cocaine for sale carries a sentence of five years. However, Deputy Dist. Atty. David Lattuca has also charged Lopez with having more than 100 pounds of the drug, and this could add 15 years to his sentence.

Lopez will be arraigned and receive a trial date in Superior Court on Dec. 18. Until then, he will remain in custody in lieu of $2-million bail.