A task force busted what is believed to be the largest
phencylidine, or PCP, operation in Santa Clara County last week
when an estimated $1 million in PCP, also known as
“angel dust” and potential PCP was seized.
A task force busted what is believed to be the largest phencylidine, or PCP, operation in Santa Clara County last week when an estimated $1 million in PCP, also known as “angel dust” and potential PCP was seized.
Storage units in Morgan Hill yielded more than three pounds of PCP, chemicals used in manufacturing PCP and automatic weapons when raided Feb. 4 by agents of the Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team (SCCSET).
The street value of the PCP, including what could have been manufactured with the chemicals, is estimated to be more than $1 million.
The chemicals found included more than 300 pounds of sodium cyanide, which is classified as a violent poison and used in the manufacture of PCP. The five weapons confiscated included an AK-47 assault rifle and a Tech-9 Machine pistol.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged PCP manufacture and sales organization: Eddie Olguin Bejarano, 44, of 6538 Hercus Ct., San Jose; and Rubin Colunga, 64, of 5812 Viking Rd., Las Vegas, Nev.
According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office, agents served warrants Feb. 4 on Bejarano’s home, vehicles and the four storage lockers in Morgan Hill. PCP was found in one of the vehicles and his home.
A six-count complain was filed Thursday by the D.A.’s office, charging Bejarano and Colunga with manufacturing PCP and piperidine (a necessary pre-cursor chemical) and conspiracy to manufacture PCP. Additional weapons charges were alleged against Bejarano.
Bail for Bejarano was set at $5 million when he was arraigned on Thursday. He has a prior narcotics conviction. Colunga is awaiting extradition to California. He has a prior homicide conviction.
The bust is the result of a six-month investigation involving agents and officers from the California Department of Justice/Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, the San Jose P.D., the Las Vegas P.D. and the Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET).
Task Force Commander Robert Mecir said Monday the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected.
“I can’t give out more information because we are still working on this,” he said.
When asked about the Morgan Hill connection, Mecir refused to comment, saying he didn’t want to jeopardize the investigation.
PCP comes in two forms, according to Cpl. Troy Hoefling of the Morgan Hill Police Department: liquid and crystal.
“A cigarette can be dipped into liquid PCP and smoked,” he said. “Crystals can be sprinkled into parsley and handrolled then smoked.”
The drug causes users to have a dry mouth, a scratchy feeling on their skin and slows reactions, Hoefling said.
“They often have mannerisms – we call them ‘moonwalkers’ becuse their movements are exaggerated, taking high steps, like there is a curb in front of them,” he said. “Users also can have incredible strength and often fight for several minutes with broken arms and legs without realizing they are injuried.”
Hoefling said the drug is not commonly used by females, and the males who use it get extremely hot, often taking off all their clothes.
