3 Drug Investigations Lead to 9 Arrests

Three drug investigations by police have resulted in the arrests of nine people, at least eight from Ventura County, authorities said.

Four Port Hueneme residents--David Pardee, 27, Tracy O’Quinn, 28, Michael Hopper, 27, and Shantelle Hopper, 24--were arrested at 8 a.m. Friday by Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme police.

A fifth person, Lisa Young, 24, whose residence was unknown, also was arrested.

Police, conducting a probation-related search of O’Quinn’s home in the 600 block of Scott Street, found about $200 worth of methamphetamine, along with scales, packaging material, paraphernalia and other evidence, Oxnard Sgt. Tim Combs said.

Pardee and O’Quinn were arrested on suspicion of possessing the drug with the intent to sell, and being under the influence, police said.

O’Quinn was also arrested on suspicion of maintaining a place where narcotics are used and child endangerment, police said.

Her four children were at the scene when police arrived, police said. Two were allowed to go to school, while two others of preschool age were released to an aunt, police said.

Michael Hopper was arrested for a parole violation and his wife, Shantelle, was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence, police said.

Young was arrested on an outstanding warrant and on suspicion of being under the influence, police said.

In a separate case, investigators from the Ventura/Oxnard Enforcement Team on Friday arrested Sylvia Celis, 38, and Ramon Samaniego, 31, both of Santa Paula, on suspicion of possessing narcotics with the intent to sell, authorities said.

The two were arrested without incident at the Cuevita Market on 8th Street. Police said they discovered illegal substances in searches of the market and the couple’s East Pleasant Street home.

In a third case, Oxnard police on Thursday arrested George Salazer, 27, and his wife, Leslie, 26, of Oxnard, on suspicion of selling methamphetamine, Combs said.

During an 8 a.m. search, officers also found paraphernalia at the couple’s home in the 300 block of East Poplar Street.