Full Notification

DATE / TIME: 

•  Friday, May 10, 2019 at approximately 9:12 PM

• 987 E. Holt Avenue (Pala Motel)

• 11351 H&S – Possession or Purchase of a Controlled Substance for Sales
• 11378 H&S – Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales

• State of California

• Rafael Ochoa, 56 Years of age, Ontario, Ca.

• Major Crimes Task Force
• California Highway Patrol - Baldwin Park Office

• On Friday night, at approximately 8:00 PM, the Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF), partnered with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), was conducting enforcement patrols throughout the city.  MCTF officers arrived in the area of Third Street and Casewell Avenue when they spotted a suspicious looking vehicle in the north alley of Third Street.  Officers contacted a solo male driver, later identified as Rafael Ochoa, inside of the vehicle.  Ochoa had an unusually large amount of U.S. Currency on his possession.  The currency was broken down into small denominations consistent with the sales and/or distribution of narcotics.  In addition, Ochoa was in possession of small zip lock baggies that are commonly used to package small quantities of narcotics for sales/distribution. The investigation further revealed that Ochoa was on federal probation for a firearm charge and probation out of San Bernardino County for Narcotics Sales.
• Believing that Ochoa may have been involved with the illegal possession and sales/distribution of narcotics, officers followed up by conducting a probation compliance check at additional locations where Ochoa was staying.  One of the locations included the Pala Motel in Pomona, and an additional address in Ontario.  Between the combined locations officers recovered approximately $13,000 in cash, over 1 pound of Heroin packaged for sales, several ounces of methamphetamine, digital measuring scales, and pay owe sheets. 
• Based on the circumstances surrounding this investigation and all the evidence recovered, Ochoa was arrested and booked for 11351 H&S and 11378 H&S.