Officers Arrest 21 in Drug Raid

Twenty-one people were arrested and several pounds of drugs and nearly a dozen stolen guns seized during a four-month undercover operation involving Santa Paula police and federal agents, authorities said Friday.

“We’ve got a problem with drugs and gangs,” said Police Cmdr. Mark Hansen. “And what this project proved is there is significant activity going on in Santa Paula.”

Police Chief Bob Gonzales said the undercover investigation was made possible by a special team of agents from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, whose mission is to assist police in drug-plagued communities. The operation ended last week, but was only made public Friday.

A dozen agents on the DEA’s Mobile Enforcement Team slept in local motels or commuted from the Los Angeles area each day to work with local police.

“They dedicated 5,600 man hours to this city. It was like adding three cops to the streets of Santa Paula for more than three months. It was great,” Gonzales said in an interview with The Times Friday.

While police leaders agree the amount of drugs seized won’t put a big dent in drug sales, the large number of arrests may send a message to dealers. In all, 19 men and two boys--a majority from three local gangs--were arrested during the secret operation that began in January.

“This was only the first round,” the chief said.

After contacting the federal agency for help in November, the DEA team arrived in January and spent several weeks developing relationships with dealers they met in local bars, through snitches and on the streets.

During March and April, agents used nearly $12,000 to buy more than two pounds of cocaine, one pound each of methamphetamine and marijuana and about five grams of heroin.

The team served search warrants at five houses, where they made some of the 21 arrests. During the operation, agents also bought at least 11 stolen guns, including an automatic rifle and several revolvers.

Most of the operation went smoothly until April 17, when agents went to arrest 22-year-old Edward Barron on suspicion of selling drugs out of his Santa Paula home, authorities said.

When authorities arrived at his home on Santa Barbara Street, Barron allegedly pointed a revolver at an agent, who then shot Barron in the head.

He remains paralyzed, with a bullet still lodged in his brain. He continues to be treated at Ventura County Medical Center. He has not yet been charged.

Gonzales said all of the other suspects remain in custody on various drug and gun charges and that their cases are pending.

He said police plan to continue working with federal and state authorities to combat crime in his city.