PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A newly emerging synthetic opioid is creating concern among health officials and anti-drug advocates across the country as communities continue battling the fentanyl crisis. According to the Addiction Center, the drug known as “cychlorphine,” is a “synthetic opioid with effects similar to morphine and fentanyl.” The San Francisco Department of
Continue Reading
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Federal and local law enforcement agencies descended on the MacArthur Park area today and carried out a sweeping operation targeting what prosecutors described as an “open-air drug market.” Video from the scene showed numerous law enforcement vehicles and an unknown number of officers taking part in “Operation Free MacArthur Park,” which
Continue Reading
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly $2.8 million in fentanyl and methamphetamine in two separate seizures over a recent six-day period at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, officials announced today. On April 19, Border officers seized more than 116 pounds of fentanyl and methamphetamine, with a combined
Continue Reading
PERRIS, Calif. (KESQ) – A 49-year-old man suspected of selling illicit drugs out of his Perris home, where authorities seized tens of thousands of pills, was arrested today on suspicion of narcotics trafficking. The Perris man was booked into the Byrd Detention Center in the predawn hours Thursday after he was taken into custody in
Continue Reading
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman partly responsible for supplying a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 35-year-old Riverside man was sentenced today to 12 years, four months in state prison. Jaclyn Christine Sherman, 32, of Riverside pleaded guilty in February to one count each of voluntary manslaughter and transportation of controlled substances for
Continue Reading
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Three Los Angeles County residents were among four suspected Sinaloa Cartel-linked defendants arrested today on federal charges alleging they trafficked fentanyl, large quantities of methamphetamine and firearms, including so-called “ghost guns” lacking serial numbers. The defendants — all members of the same family — are: — José Luis Salazar-Cruz, 44, of
Continue Reading
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – A Burbank man who participated in a drug ring that used hidden internet marketplaces to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fentanyl-laced pills and cocaine to buyers across the country was sentenced today to nearly four years in federal prison. Alejandro Soto, 22, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to
Continue Reading
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Prosecutors intend to retry a man for voluntary manslaughter after a jury deadlocked on whether to convict him for allegedly helping a 22-year-old Rancho Mirage resident obtain the fentanyl that killed him. The Indio jury weighing the fate of Riley Jacob Hagar, 28, of Cathedral City acquitted him Tuesday of murder
Continue Reading
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – The nephew of the late San Diego Chargers legend Junior Seau, who initially faced a murder charge in connection with a fatal fentanyl sale, has been granted mental health diversion, which could result in the case’s dismissal if he successfully completes the program. Micah Rodgers Seau, 33, was charged with
Continue Reading INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 22-year-old Rancho Mirage man who died from fentanyl poisoning wouldn’t have had access to the pills that killed him without the direct assistance of a friend now on trial for murder, a prosecutor said today, while the defendant’s attorney countered his client can’t be blamed for the victim’s death because
Continue Reading INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 22-year-old Rancho Mirage man consumed a fatal dose of fentanyl that his friend helped him procure, a prosecutor said today, while the attorney for the accused countered that his client only aided in facilitating a transaction and “did not murder anybody.” Riley Jacob Hagar, 28, of Cathedral City, is charged
Continue Reading
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – The death of a 34-year-old California Highway Patrol officer following a Culver City traffic crash that occurred while he and his partner were transporting a DUI suspect was caused by the effects of the powerful opioid fentanyl, the county Medical Examiner’s Office announced today. Officer Miguel Cano, 34, was driving a
Continue Reading INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A jury was seated today for the trial of a man accused of providing a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 22-year-old Rancho Mirage resident on New Year’s Day 2022. Riley Jacob Hagar, 28, of Cathedral City is charged with second-degree murder for the death of Travis O’Brien. After more
Continue Reading
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A Jurupa Valley woman partly responsible for her 1-year-old son’s ingestion of a deadly dose of fentanyl was bound for state prison today to serve a sentence of 12 years, four months behind bars after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and another felony. Sandy Alyssa Acuna, 25, admitted the manslaughter count,
Continue Reading
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A man partly responsible for supplying a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 35-year-old Riverside resident was sentenced today to six years in state prison. David Ray Mullins, 48, of Jurupa Valley pleaded guilty on Feb. 6 to involuntary manslaughter and two counts of possession of controlled substances for sale under
Continue Reading
SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KESQ) – Kristi Noem, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, visited the Otay Mesa detention facility today to tout the border’s security and denounce Democrats for failing to fund her department, likely leading to a shutdown Saturday. Mike Banks, chief of the United States Border Patrol, joined Noem, along with San Diego County
Continue Reading
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – A man and woman responsible for supplying a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 35-year-old Riverside resident pleaded guilty today to felony charges, while trial proceedings were tentatively scheduled next week for a third defendant. Jaclyn Christine Sherman, 32, of Riverside and David Ray Mullins, 48, of Jurupa Valley both reached
Continue Reading
SAN DIEGO (CNS) – More than a half-billion dollars worth of fentanyl was seized in California over the past five years as part of expanded drug enforcement efforts at the southern border, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday in San Diego. More than 50 million fentanyl pills worth an estimated $506 million and weighing 34,357 pounds
Continue Reading
By Kit Maher, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday classifying “illicit fentanyl and its core precursor chemicals” as weapons of mass destruction — though it was not immediately clear what practical effect that might have. “Today I’m taking one more step to protect Americans from the scourge of deadly fentanyl
Continue Reading
CULVER CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – A potentially life-saving initiative will see fentanyl test strips distributed to students and their families by the Culver City Unified School District in a pilot program approved this week, officials announced today. A unanimous decision was reached at Tuesday’s meeting of the CCUSD Board of Education to provide free, pocket-sized
Continue Reading