“Shots Fired” Leads to Parolee’s Unregistered Firearm and 20 Pounds of ICE
POMONA — A “Shots Fired” citizen’s call originating from an apartment complex on the 2300 block of Towne Avenue shortly before midnight on July 10th immediately deployed officers to investigate a parolee’s apartment. Neighbors’ quick timing helped investigators seize 20 pounds of crystal methamphetamine (aka ICE,) and an unregistered .22 caliber pistol from parolee and Pomona resident Jose Real Velasquez (26).
According to Agent Russ Baer, DEA headquarters’ Staff Coordinator of Media Affairs, “20 lbs. of crystal methamphetamine is very significant and not that uncommon. ICE looks like shards of glass, is highly purified, and the bulk manufacturing of it primarily takes place in Mexico, then smuggled across the southwest border to national criminal organizations. Most of it is distributed via gangs at the city level. The drug is highly dangerous, but is not getting the public’s attention in the midst of an opioid crisis.”
DEA’s spokesperson Barbara Carreno told CrimeVoice, “Prices for ICE are varied all over the country, and are affected by traffickers and local distributors, which are primarily street gangs.”
Pomona PD Corporal Richard Martinez reported that Velazquez was arrested for 11378 HS Possession of Narcotics, 11370.1 Possession of a Firearm with Narcotics, 246.3(a) PC Discharge a Firearm, and 25850(c)(1) Unregistered Firearm.
Pomona PD Watch Commander Lt. Ron McDonald affirmed, “There were no signs of drug manufacturing. Bail is set for $250,000 at the state level. DEA’s Carreno noted that federal first-offense penalties would be not less than 20 years to life and $10 million for a ½ kilo, with an added 5-40 years for a firearm.”
DEA’s Baer assures that “nationwide agencies will continue to monitor and control drug activities,” and encourages citizens to assist by communicating anything that looks unusual, such as patterns of unfamiliar individuals and vehicles, to their local or national agencies, such as WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME (1-800-782-7463) or Crimestoppers by texting TIPLA plus the tip to 274637 or CRIMES.
