SMPD Fentanyl Arrest Nets 2 suspects, $50,000 in drugs and $12,000 cash

Fentanyl is a major public health problem in the United States. Chinese pharmaceutical producers (not so much the legit ones) put it in everything from Vicodin to Benadryl. 1000 times more potent than heroin, Fentanyl killed Prince Rogers Nelson and Tom Petty. 30,000 Americans died last year from Fentanyl overdoses.

On March 19, 2019 the Santa Monica Police Department's Narcotics Unit and Crime Impact Team served a search warrant at a residence in the 1400 block of 11th Street in Santa Monica for narcotics sales activity, writes Saul Rodriguez, Santa Monica Police Dept. Public Information Officer.

Police searched cars and the apartment. Detectives recovered 9 ounces of fentanyl with a street value of $40,000. They also found about 21⁄2 ounces of powdered cocaine (street value of $7,000), over $12,000 in US currency and other “indicators of narcotic sales,” probably meaning a cappers list.

Police arrested Shane Michael Spring, 36, from Santa Monica. He was booked for 11351 H&S – possession of narcotics for the purpose of sales.

Sasha Carrillo, a 33 year-old female from Santa Monica, was booked for 11351 H&S – possession of narcotics for the purpose of sales.

“Nationally, fentanyl has become the leading cause of illegal narcotics related overdose deaths amongst substance abusers,” wrote Rodriguez.

He added that “Detectives will be presenting the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. Anyone with information related to narcotic activity in the City of Santa Monica is encouraged to call the anonymous Narcotics Tip Line at (310) 458-2292; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.”