Cartel connection uncovered in SDSU bust
Wendy Fry, Senior Staff Writer
Damon Mosler, chief of the Narcotics Division of the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, said that Castaneda, who has a prior conviction for the sale of narcotics, received his supply of drugs from Mexico and members of the cartel.
"Castaneda was involved in drug trafficking at the highest level that we've ever seen on a university campus," Mosler said. "His source of supply of the cocaine comes from Mexico. The cartel is responsible for smuggling most of the cocaine from Columbia through our border here in San Diego."
Jesse Navarro, a public affairs officer from the district attorney's office, said the number of Hispanics actually involved is very minimal.
"I believe there were only two or three Hispanics of the people arrested involved in this organization," Navarro said in Spanish. "We wanted to send a loud and clear message that this is a problem with shared responsibility on both sides of the border."
After pleading not guilty yesterday in Superior Court, Castaneda was held on $150,000 bail by Judge Frederick Maguire. Castaneda served three years for his prior drug conviction.
"Castaneda is a documented gang member and suspected cocaine supplier," Mosler said. "He was one of the main sources of supply for some of the dealers on the San Diego State campus."
When agents searched Castaneda's home they found 1 kilogram of cocaine, Mosler said.
"Castaneda was arrested with a whole kilo of cocaine in his home, which is the most cocaine ever found in a campus drug raid," Mosler said.
The largest campus drug bust ever in San Diego County, police officers seized four pounds of cocaine, 50 pounds of marijuana and 350 ecstasy pills, as well as cash and weapons during Operation Sudden Fall. They also confiscated semi-automatic weapons, shotguns, and a rifle on Tuesday while arresting 18 students along with 15 others last week.
The operation was a joint effort between University Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 9
Robert Castro
posted 5/07/08 @ 3:15 PM PST
I have to wonder: what standards is the Admissions staff/office using to admit students? How in the world did a documented gang member and member of a drug cartel get into a pre-health program at San Diego State? This is an utter disgrace and the admissions office should seriously consider firing their whole staff and hiring people who will check the background of their applicants. (Continued…)
Silas
posted 5/07/08 @ 6:42 PM PST
Idiots. Why would you support the cartels? They are the reasons for the many lives lost in the drug wars. Violence will continue if you keep supporting them. (Continued…)
Eduardo Stu
posted 5/07/08 @ 9:10 PM PST
Wow! The drugs come all the way from one university to another. From "Columbia" thorugh our border here San Diego?
I didn't know Columbia was in Mexico. (Continued…)
real
posted 5/07/08 @ 11:19 PM PST
Please don't protect those criminals. They were doing something wrong: punish them, send them to jail, take their rights away just like the system does with thousands of other people, but do not try to blame someone else. (Continued…)
legalatina
posted 5/08/08 @ 7:43 AM PST
What this article doesn't tell you is that Casteneda was not only a "known" Mexican drug dealer and gang-banger but is also an illegal alien who had previous encounters and a rap sheet. (Continued…)
max
posted 5/08/08 @ 10:09 PM PST
Most of the real drug dealers at State have worked out deals with the DEA and are free to continue operations, some are allowed to keep their drugs and money in turn for information (like Paul Burgess). (Continued…)
BEN
posted 5/09/08 @ 4:38 PM PST
Is this guy kidding me? Who said that the DEA allowed the top dealers keep the drugs and money in exchange for information? You sound like a moron. The only deal they can work out is getting less time for names. (Continued…)
James Morgenthau
posted 5/11/08 @ 2:46 PM PST
As a student whom appreciates the prestige of our school, I feel that these Mexicans whom controlled and supplied the drugs to many of the students should be excommunicated from our grand country. (Continued…)
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