What began as a routine response to an illegal dumping complaint on a vacant property quickly turned into one of the most significant drug seizures in recent city history. In a stunning victory for public safety, City of Palmdale Code Enforcement officers, along with officers from the District Attorney’s Office and public health officials, discovered over 800 pounds of methamphetamine — along with a hidden narcotics production operation contained within cargo containers.
Palmdale Code Enforcement officers initially responded to a vacant lot after receiving reports of illegal dumping. The extraordinary discovery quickly turned into a coordinated effort with partner agencies, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles Police Department.
“This case is a powerful example of the important work our Code Enforcement team does every day to protect Palmdale neighborhoods,” said Mayor Eric Ohlsen. “What started as an illegal dumping investigation led to the removal of a massive amount of dangerous drugs from our community. This is exactly the kind of impact I had in mind when I created Palmdale’s Community Preservation Program. I knew that giving our teams the right tools and focus would make a real difference in protecting our residents’ quality of life, and this case proves it.”
In addition to the large amount of methamphetamine discovered, there were also materials and photos indicating multiple stages of narcotics production. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department assumed the criminal investigation.
Code Enforcement plays a key role in identifying and addressing violations that impact public safety, property conditions and quality of life across Palmdale. The City thanks the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance and partnership in this investigation.
The criminal investigation remains active and ongoing. This historic seizure emphasizes the critical importance of the community’s partnership with Public Safety. If you see illegal dumping or suspicious property conditions, report it to Palmdale Code Enforcement at www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov/Report.
About Palmdale Public Safety
The City of Palmdale Public Safety Department works to enhance quality of life by partnering with residents, businesses and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to support a safe and welcoming community. Public Safety includes Community Service Officers, who assist with crime reports, fingerprinting, traffic control and calls for service, helping LASD focus on serious crimes, as well as Code Enforcement officers, who address violations such as illegal dumping, graffiti, property maintenance issues and other conditions that impact public health, safety and quality of life. Field officers serve the community seven days a week.