Laguna police lead drug bust Three men...

Laguna police

lead drug bust

Three men were arrested Tuesday after Laguna Beach police found

more than 135 pounds of marijuana in a Dana Point apartment.

Police said the seized drugs had an estimated street value of more

than $500,000.

The drugs were discovered after officers served a search warrant

at an apartment in a gated complex in the 32700 block of Point

Stirling. The suspects were arrested at the location without

incident.

The marijuana was found stashed in four U-Haul boxes.

The Laguna Beach Police Department was the lead agency in the

investigation, which stretched over several weeks. The investigation

began in Laguna Beach and involved several hours of surveillance as

well as undercover work.

Tustin police assisted in the investigation and search. Orange

County Sheriff’s Department officers were also present at the arrest.

Police would not disclose which agency the undercover officer in

the case worked for.

“Agencies frequently exchange undercover officers,” Sgt. Darin

Lenyi said.

The three suspects, 24-year-old Huntington Beach resident Alex

Ruiz, 28-year-old Mission Viejo resident Daniel Pearson, and

39-year-old Wildomar resident Jeffrey Brown, were booked in Laguna

Beach on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale and taken to

Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $1 million.

-- Andrew Edwards