Brown Announces Seizure of $7 Million Worth of Heroin in East Palo Alto

Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

East Palo Alto -- Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that agents from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement today arrested a Mexican national, Adan Alfonso Herrera, and seized 70 pounds of heroin from his Lincoln Towncar on Sacramento Street in East Palo Alto.

"The suspect stashed at least 70 pounds of heroin in a secret compartment of his car,' Brown said. 'With a street value of $7 million, this is the largest heroin seizure ever made in San Mateo County.'

Herrera, 27, is a native of Mexico and a known associate of the Sac Street Gang, a violent East Palo Alto street gang with ties to Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. Herrera has prior arrests for domestic abuse, kidnapping and providing false information to a police officer.

As part of the investigation, agents served a search warrant on Herrera's residence and vehicle, located at 559 Sacramento Street in East Palo Alto. Agents discovered a small amount of heroin in the house.

Subsequently, agents found approximately 70 pounds of heroin stashed in a secret compartment in the dashboard of the Herrera’s Lincoln Towncar. The Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement determined the street value of the heroin is in excess of $7 million.

Herrera was arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Jail for possession of heroin for sale and for possession of a hidden compartment. Bail was set at $5 million.

The Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is the oldest narcotic enforcement bureau in the United States.

Questions regarding this investigation can be directed to Special Agent in Charge Bob Cooke at (408) 452-7360.

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