Three drug dealers arrested in Costa Mesa and Anaheim

Police seized $100K and 20 lbs of ketamine in drug bust

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Last week, a joint investigation by the Costa Mesa Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations led to the arrest of three suspects for drug trafficking. The suspects were in possession of $100,000 in cash and 20 pounds of ketamine, a Schedule III controlled substance. The suspects face severe state and potentially federal penalties due to the large quantity of narcotics and the violent nature of the encounter with police.

Why it matters

This drug bust highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat the distribution of illicit substances, particularly powerful drugs like ketamine that can have dangerous side effects. The large quantity of drugs and cash seized indicates this was a major drug trafficking operation, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between local and federal authorities to disrupt the supply chain.

The details

During the investigation, one suspect intentionally struck a police vehicle while attempting to flee, leading to an additional charge of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon. Two other suspects were arrested after a vehicle stop. In total, the suspects were in possession of $100,000 in cash and 20 pounds of ketamine, a Schedule III controlled substance. K9 officer Aran assisted in the arrests.

  • The arrests took place on March 7, 2026.

The players

Costa Mesa Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that led the investigation and made the arrests.

Anaheim Police Department

The neighboring police department that assisted in the investigation and arrests.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orange County Public Safety Group (OCPSG)

The federal law enforcement agency that provided support and resources to the investigation.

K9 officer Aran

The police dog that helped with the arrests.

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What’s next

The three suspects arrested in Costa Mesa on March 7, 2026, face severe state and potentially federal penalties due to the large quantity of narcotics, cash, and the violent nature of the encounter.

The takeaway

This drug bust highlights the ongoing efforts of local and federal law enforcement to combat the distribution of powerful and dangerous illicit substances like ketamine. The large quantity of drugs and cash seized indicates this was a major drug trafficking operation, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between authorities to disrupt the supply chain and protect public safety.