LAPD Finds Weapons and Drugs at Day-Care Center

Los Angeles police officers raided a day-care center just east of downtown yesterday and discovered more than Kool-Aid and cookies.

Lt. Paul Vernon reported that officers raided the Boyle Heights duplex and found 14 kilos of cocaine, 50 pounds of marijuana, a stash of guns, and $300,000 in cash.

Maria Castellon, 47, the duplex owner was arrested on suspicion of felony cocaine distribution. She is being held in lieu of $2.03 million bond.

“We believe this is a significant source for drug sales in and around skid row,” Vernon told the Los Angeles Times. “The persons involved here do not appear to be related to gangs, but they have a big operation that was intended for an open market.”

The drugs were found inside the day-care center in suitcases and a safe. A K-9 sniffed them out. 

The street value was a little more than $270,000.