41 Arrested at Lancaster Cocaine ‘Supermarket’

During a two-night undercover drug sweep, law enforcement authorities arrested 41 people and seized 23 automobiles, several weapons and drugs at a Lancaster motel that officials called a “supermarket for rock cocaine.”

Sheriff’s Department narcotics investigators and federal Drug Enforcement Administation agents began arresting rock cocaine buyers and sellers Thursday night after a two-week surveillance at the Regal Lodge Motel at 42047 Sierra Highway, authorities said. During the stakeout, undercover agents made eight drug buys and watched as dealers hurried over to potential customers whenever a car drove in the parking lot.

The motel’s manager, An Tio, 47, of Palm Springs was arrested for allowing cocaine to be distributed at the motel, Deputy Bill Wehner said. Two South-Central Los Angeles residents, Daniel Simmons, 22, and Michael Jordan, 22, were arrested for supplying the motel dealers with cocaine. Agents confiscated from the pair’s car an ounce of cocaine, $1,000 in cash and four weapons, including a sawed-off shotgun.

Most of those arrested during the sweep that ended early Saturday were customers who bought a single $20 nugget of cocaine. Customers purchased the cocaine in the parking lot or in several motel rooms, officials said. Drug agents allowed buyers to drive a short distance from the motel before they were stopped and arrested, Wehner said.

Federal drug seizure laws permitted authorities to confiscate the vehicles of dealers and customers, Wehner said. Some of the cars, which are being stored at the Mira Loma jail facility, are luxury models.

This was the most vehicles the Sheriff’s Department has ever confiscated during a single drug operation.

Law enforcement authorities were tipped off by angry nearby residents. “The neighbors had a legitimate complaint,” Wehner said. “It was a supermarket for rock cocaine.”

Authorities arrested 25 men, 14 women and two 17-year-old males. A total of 1.5 ounces of cocaine was seized along with $9,600.

The motel remained open Saturday.