Hotline Aims at Marina Drug Crime

Hoping to nab drug users and smugglers in and around the marina, the Ventura Police Department has set up a narcotics tip hotline.

Although the police have not broken up any large drug-smuggling operations that use the marina, Officer Alex Marquez said there is suspicion that smuggling is occurring there.

Marquez, who worked on the department’s narcotics squad for three years, started manning the department’s marina storefront in June and has already discovered a lot of drug activity in the area.

“We’ve made several arrests of users and people under the influence,” he said. “But what we’re hoping for is that people will help us out here. They can call and leave their names or remain anonymous. We’re just looking for information.”

The hotline number is 339-4485. Tipsters can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.