Twenty-three people were arrested Thursday during an operation targeting young offenders who often turn to crime to support their drug habits.
More than 100 officers from local law enforcement agencies and the Metropolitan Transit System participated in Operation Tip the Scale and combed through hotspots for drug-related crime in Santee, Lakeside, El Cajon and La Mesa and the trolley line that connects those communities. The operation focused primarily on young adults between 18 and 24 years of age.
During the operation, officers contacted more than 1,000 individuals and issued more than 250 citations. The operation also yielded more than one-half ounce of methamphetamine, more than $1500 cash, a sawed-off shotgun, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.
They also conducted probation and parole compliance checks and gave each suspect they arrested an opportunity to talk to a drug treatment counselor. Three individuals were sent directly to a treatment facility. Officers also distributed nearly 100 packets with information on treatment resources available.
Tip the Scale, the 14th in the past three and a half years, is an ongoing effort to reduce drug-related crime in communities throughout San Diego County.
Tip the Scale operations have been run in Lakeside, Santee, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, La Mesa, Alpine, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Poway, Fallbrook, Escondido, Oceanside, Ramona, Vista, Encinitas and San Diego. The operation has resulted in more than 17,000 police contacts, 488 arrests, 2,232 treatment conversations and 736 information packets given to individuals and family members in need of help.
Residents throughout the county are urged to report meth and other drug-related crimes or seek information about treatment options by calling 1-877-NO-2-METH (1-877-662-6384) or by going online to www.no2meth.org. All calls and reports are confidential.
