Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
Felony Narcotics Sales and Weapons Violation Arrests

Contact Person:       Senior Police Officer Ramirez
Phone:                       (805) 473-5110 Ext. 7001
Date:                           July 17, 2024
 
On July 17, 2024, at approximately 8 PM, Arroyo Grande Police Department officers responded to a report of two individuals, possibly under the influence, in a vehicle parked in the 900 block of Rancho Parkway.
 
Officers arrived on scene and contacted 38-year-old Courtney Opely, of Oceano, CA, and 32-year-old Ryan Flaherty, of Bakersfield, CA. Officers saw drugs in plain view.  A records check showed both had outstanding warrants for their arrest.
 
A vehicle search revealed an AR-15 platform rifle loaded with a high-capacity magazine and altered serial number, a bolt-action rifle, and a loaded handgun. Officers also discovered a large quantity of suspected fentanyl, along with various other illicit drugs and paraphernalia, including evidence of narcotics sales.
 
Both suspects were placed under arrest. Both were medically cleared at a local hospital, then booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail.
 
Courtney Opely was booked for multiple outstanding warrants and charged with the following:

• 23900 California Penal Code             Altering a firearm's identifying information
• 11351 Health and Safety Cod-           Possession of controlled substances for sale
• 11370.1(a) Health and Safety Code   Possession of controlled substances while armed
• 11350(a) Health and Safety Code      Possession of narcotics
• 11377(a) Health and Safety Code      Possession of methamphetamine
• 25850 Penal Code                              Possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle
• 11375(b)(1) Health and Safety Code Possession of Xanax for sale
• 11364(a) Health and Safety Code      Possession of paraphernalia
• 647(f) Penal Code                              Public intoxication

 
Ryan Flaherty was booked for an outstanding warrant and charged with the following:

• 529(a)(3) Penal Code                         False personation of another
• 30305(a)(1) Penal Code                     Felon in possession of ammunition
• 29800(a)(1) Penal Code                     Felon in possession of a firearm  
• 21810 Penal Code                                          Possession of metal knuckles
• 148(a)(1) Penal Code                                     Resisting, Delaying or obstructing an officer
• 23900 Penal Code                                          Altering a firearm's identifying information
• 11351 Health and Safety Code            Possession of controlled substances for sale
• 11370.1(a) Health and Safety Code     Possession of controlled substances while  armed
• 11350(a) Health and Safety Code                  Possession of narcotics
• 11377(a) Health and Safety Code                  Possession of methamphetamine
• 25850 Penal Code                                          Possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle
• 11375(b)(1) Health and Safety Code             Possession of Alprazolam for sale
• 11364(a) Health and Safety Code                  Possession of paraphernalia
• 647(f) Penal Code                                          Public intoxication

 
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact Senior Officer Ramirez at 805.473.5110 x 7001 or via email [email protected]