San Diego DA charges dozens in 'open-air' drug market crackdown

Operation Street Sweeper targeted fentanyl, meth, and crack cocaine dealing in East Village neighborhood

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The San Diego County District Attorney's Office has announced grand jury indictments against 34 defendants accused of openly dealing fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine in the East Village neighborhood. The arrests were part of a coordinated law enforcement operation called "Operation Street Sweeper" that aimed to address public safety challenges and improve quality of life in the area.

Why it matters

The "open-air" drug markets not only facilitated drug distribution, but also contributed to other associated crimes in the surrounding East Village area. The crackdown reflects a proactive law enforcement response to address community concerns about drug dealing and its impact on public safety.

The details

Operation Street Sweeper was conducted last September and October in areas identified by San Diego police as hotspots for drug sales, including 16th and 17th streets, K and C streets, and Imperial Avenue and Broadway. Surveillance and undercover drug purchases led to the recent indictments and the arrests of 23 of the 34 defendants in East Village last Thursday.

  • Operation Street Sweeper was conducted in September and October 2025.
  • The 34 defendants were indicted by a grand jury in February 2026.
  • 23 of the defendants were arrested in East Village on February 6, 2026.

The players

Summer Stephan

San Diego County District Attorney, who announced the indictments and described the operation's goal of improving public safety and quality of life in the East Village neighborhood.

Scott Wahl

San Diego Police Chief, who stated that the operation targeted open drug use and narcotic sales in East Village that impacted children and families.

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What they’re saying

“This operation reflects a coordinated, proactive law enforcement response to the community we serve, with the goal of improving the quality of life in a downtown area that continues to face public safety challenges.”

— Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney (nbcsandiego.com)

“The residents of East Village have long asked for more enforcement on drug-related offenses and Operation Street Sweeper did just that.”

— Scott Wahl, San Diego Police Chief (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on bail for the 23 defendants arrested in the operation in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This crackdown on open-air drug markets in the East Village neighborhood reflects the ongoing challenges San Diego faces with drug-related crime and its impact on community safety. The coordinated law enforcement response aims to address persistent public concerns and improve quality of life in the area.