Dentist Is Rearrested on Drug, Arms Charges : Police: Irvine practitioner allegedly carried methamphetamine when he visited a probation office.

A 46-year-old dentist, whose dental license was suspended last week after a series of weapon and drug arrests, was arrested again Tuesday evening when he allegedly showed up for a meeting with his probation officer carrying a small amount of drugs, police said Wednesday.

Dr. David W. Chung, a resident of Irvine, had a small amount of methamphetamine when he went to the Orange County Probation Department in Santa Ana, said Irvine police Lt. Vic Thies.

Authorities then searched his car in the parking lot and found three loaded handguns in addition to more of the drug, police said. Chung was arrested at the scene without incident on suspicion of drug and weapons possession and on suspicion of parole violation, Thies said.

Officers from the Irvine Police Department and the Probation Department then searched Chung’s home in the 4200 block of Trabuco Road and found 13 more handguns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. They also found a small amount of marijuana and narcotics paraphernalia.

During the search, police arrested 46-year-old Raymond Holly on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs and on an outstanding traffic warrant. Holly was staying at Chung’s house, Thies said.

Between November, 1992, and March, 1993, police had three run-ins with Chung. Two of the incidents resulted in his being arrested on multiple charges, including possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a loaded firearm, drunk driving and being under the influence of narcotics.

He was placed on probation after being convicted of the charges.

Due to public safety concerns about Chung possibly practicing while using narcotics, the Police Department and the state Board of Dental Examiners launched an in-depth investigation, Thies said.

In April, authorities contacted Chung at his Irvine practice, where he was reportedly found to be under the influence of drugs. At that time, a formal process to suspend his license was initiated and a six-month suspension went into effect on Aug. 23.

Thies said he did not know if any patient complaints had been filed against Chung, who is currently being held without bail at Orange County Jail.

Police said the Board of Dental Examiners will be pursuing permanent revocation of his dental license.