2 Suspected Drug Dealers Arrested, Cocaine Seized

Federal drug agents arrested two suspected drug dealers Friday after an undercover drug buy ended in gunplay that wounded one of the suspects as he tried to escape in a speeding car down Harbor Island Drive, authorities said.

Charles E. Hill, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent in charge, said undercover DEA agents were waiting in the parking lot of the Viscount Hotel on Harbor Island and expected the suspects to deliver five kilos of cocaine, which has an estimated street value of “at least a couple of million dollars.”

Instead, one of the suspects--Hugo Harrera-Matus of Los Angeles--showed up about 1 p.m. and delivered only one kilo.

After agents arrested Harrera, said Hill, the other suspect--tentatively identified as Jose Roger Castillo-Arguello, 19--panicked and sped off when DEA agents approached his car.

Hill said the agents fired gunshots at Castillo because “he attempted to run over and kill them (the agents) with the car.”

Hill said that Castillo then sped down Harbor Island Drive, past Lindbergh Field, and through a security checkpoint at the Naval Anti-Submarine Warfare Base near Nimitz Boulevard before he was arrested on base. Officials said Castillo drove his car in excess of 70 m.p.h.

Castillo was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center, where a hospital spokeswoman said he was listed in good condition Friday night with three gunshot wounds to the left thigh. She identified him as Roger Blanco, 19.

DEA agents found four kilos of cocaine behind the car’s door panels, Hill said. He estimated the wholesale value of all of the cocaine at more than $100,000.

“The street value is probably higher . . . at least a couple of million dollars,” he added.

Hill would not comment on how DEA agents made their initial contact with Harrera. He said the DEA will ask that the two suspects be charged with federal possession of cocaine and assaulting a federal agent.