Posted: 10:08 pm PDT May 24, 2009Updated: 11:14 pm PDT May 24, 2009
DALY CITY, Calif. -- Dozens of alleged drug dealers sat behind bars Sunday after a large undercover sting operation at an electronic music festival held at the Cow Palace in Daly City netted almost 80 arrests.
The pulsating beat and flashing lights played just a part in what attracted as many as 12,000 people to Saturday night's music festival, called "Etd. POP 2009."
But mixed in among the teenagers and young adults were drug dealers, many trying to sell ecstasy and other illegal substances.
"People will approach you and offer the drugs or of the officer can ask if they knew where they could get it and it's readily supplied," explained San Mateo County sheriff's Commander Marc Alcantara.
For the third year in a row, undercover officers converged on the Cow Palace to try to put an end to the drug dealing at the annual event.
The San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force coordinated the sting with dozens of other local agencies including the FBI, CHP and police from San Francisco, Santa Clara and Alameda counties.
Undercover teams hit the dance floor at 6:30 p.m. Saturday night. Within ten minutes, officers had their first arrest.
By the time the party ended at about 2 a.m., 79 people were in custody including three juveniles.
Authorities also seized 901 Ecstasy tablets with a street value of $18,000, as well as 41 doses of LSD, a quarter ounce of cocaine and a small amount of marijuana and methamphetamine, according to Alcantara.
They also confiscated $3,500 in cash.
Police said drug dealers from as far away as Alaska come to Bay Area raves to sell ecstasy and other drugs.
The task force leader said many of the young party goers have no idea what they're buying from the dealers and the drugs have led to overdoses at previous raves, and even death.
"They truly don't know what they're ingesting. Ecstasy is a clandestine drug. It's made in unsterile and less than professional laboratories, if you will," said Alcantra.
Police said the promoter of the annual event is cooperating with authorities to try to discourage drug dealing.
Last year police had similar results, arresting 58 people including three juveniles while seizing 1,000 ecstasy tablets.
Narcotics officers said they want to put the drug dealers on notice. They said that they will continue to use these tactics at raves until the drug dealing comes to an end.
"While the operation is covert, we want the word to get out we're going to be here for as long as is needed to keep our children safe," said Alcantra. "If we can prevent one young person from an overdose, or worse, death, then we have accomplished our objective."
Authorities said all of those arrested face felony charges that could lead to prison terms.
As of Sunday night, just ten of the 76 adults taken to the San Mateo County jail had posted bond to be released from custody."
