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Woman, 75, arrested in illegal drug sales
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Narcotics detectives arrested a 75-year-old woman known as "Grandma" Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of selling illegal drugs from her home in Nyeland Acres, northeast of Oxnard, authorities said.
Detectives began the investigation of Eloisa Mendez last month, after receiving reports that she was selling drugs from her home in the 3600 block of Orange Drive, according to a statement from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.
Detectives served a search warrant at the home at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and said they found about 1 ounce of cocaine, 1 ounces of methamphetamine, a .22-caliber revolver and a 9mm handgun with two 30-round magazines.
Mendez was arrested on suspicion of possessing cocaine and methamphetamine for sale and was booked into Ventura County Jail. She was released Wednesday, but jail officials would not comment on the terms.
After plainclothes detectives concluded their search and were leaving the house, two young women offered to sell them illegal fireworks.
The detectives identified themselves and cited Sasha Campos, 18, of Fullerton, and Alicia Lopez, 20, of Ventura, on suspicion of possession and sales of illegal fireworks.
Posted by slkrchck on July 4, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oh grandma.............i told you this was going to happen. stay put, i'll come get you.
Posted by desdave on July 4, 2008 at 2:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, so some old lady is selling drugs and is armed to teeth. But what about the Darwin award winners offering to sell illegal fireworks to cops? I know, they weren't in uniform, but still, I bet an unmarked but still recognizable cop car was parked in front. Dumb.
Posted by high_society on July 4, 2008 at 3:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
An old lady, and Latina nonetheless!
As a Latina, this is embarrassing.
People, stop making our culture look bad!
But this is rather a funny story.
I think they should post her picture up. Come on, Star! Post up the mugshots!
Posted by axel718 on July 4, 2008 at 3:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lol.....unreal
Posted by smithjc on July 4, 2008 at 4:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
those social security checks only go so far and then you've got to find some way to make ends meet.
Posted by highriseray1 on July 4, 2008 at 4:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the wolf dressed as grandma
Posted by cassandra2 on July 4, 2008 at 5 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One ounce of cocaine? One ounce of meth? And she was selling? Looks more like she was using or perhaps only had been once.
And she had two guns, one small caliber, the other not, but still no Uzi. In her own home where it is perfectly legal.
If she were 30, this would be a non-event. Must have been a slow news day.
Posted by CatInAHat on July 4, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My belief is that the amount of the drugs recovered will not be enough to sustain a "possession for sale" charge. She will get off on possession. Since the coke was not rocked up, she will do OK.
The guns are legal and she is legal with them, if she is not a convicted felon.
As for the sale of illegal fireworks. If 2 kids in Nyeland cannot recognize 2 suits, they should go back to remedial gang classes.
Posted by desdave on July 4, 2008 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm guessing that there have been undercover buys from her that led to the arrest, so the amount on hand won't be the determining evidence. Also, I believe that the 30 round magazines are illegal except for military and law enforcement.
Posted by DrcGrl on July 4, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dumb in a no dumb zone!!!
Posted by nmgirl on July 4, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hmmmm..now who is to blame for her actions, her parents?
Posted by 805m0mma on July 4, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this takes the cake!!
nmgirl-good one! i have to admit if it was a teen i'd probably ask where their parents were! haha
Posted by patticakepatti on July 4, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who's to blame for this one??? Probably the moron's selling the illegal fireworks at the door, talk about upselling!
I highly doubt Grandma gets her drugs at the local senior citizen club, I think closer attention should be paid to the firework girls and possibly whoever else lives in the house. Granny's getting it from somewhere!
Posted by slkrchck on July 4, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
grandma'sin a gang. she's selling for the benefit of a gang. i know this. she tried to jump me in. say no to blow.
Posted by shaver_one on July 4, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
1. The drugs are illegal...but not in such quantites to be 'for sell'.
2. The guns are legal...protected by the 2nd Amendment, and recently codified by SCOTUS.
3. 30-round magazines for the handguns are also legal. Had these magazines been for long-guns, that might have been another story.
Posted by shaver_one on July 4, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Re: The magazines...
It all depends upon whether they are OEM, or modified. If modified, that could be illegal.
In any event, her parents should also be held liable, and charged with poor child-rearing.
Posted by smithjc on July 4, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
shaver, the possession of ANY "large capacity" magazine is generally unlawful for private persons in the state of california. (refer to to section 12020 of the CPC for details).
one ounce each of cocaine and methamphetamine is more than enough to constitute possession for sales, as these types of drugs are most frequently sold in "gram quantities". there are about 28 of those in each ounce. it takes tweekers a lot of stolen property to buy crank.
since the possession of both of those drugs is a felony, she was in possession of firearms while committing a felony. hence the weapons possession, while for non-criminals and non-drug dealers would be normally legal, in her case it constitutes an additional crime.
Posted by smithjc on July 4, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
and, of course, i meant to say "allegedly" every time her connection to criminal acts was mentioned.
Posted by Adam_Monroe on July 4, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Let me tell you something sonny...that coke sure is good for the arthritis! And man does that reefer sure keep me regular!"
Posted by therealamerican on July 4, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
High_society, you must have some identity issues of your own. To become embarassed over a Latina and her run in with the law, is humorous. I'm sure that "You" do not have any realtives that are asssociated with this type of behavior. All of your relatives must be rich, educated, and Republican. In any event, to say, "that she making Latino/a Culture look bad, is simply ludacris!" One person's actions are not reflective of an entire culture, especially one which encompasses Mexico, Central/South America, Puerto Rico and outlying islands. Lastly, if she embarasses you, don't call yourself or identify yourself as a Latina. Do yourself a favor and call yourself Hispanic! Buena suerte!
Posted by UCSBguy on July 4, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Blame the parents. Where is the parents raising this grandma? Take responsibility parents! Don't let your grandmas selling drugs and stuff.
therealamerican: "that she making Latino/a Culture look bad, is simply ludacris!"
therealamerican, i don't think it's ludacris.. maybe Jay-z or even Dr. Dre. You could even say its eminem but it's not simply ludacris.
Posted by UCSBguy on July 4, 2008 at 10:10 p.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by abbyjacks on July 4, 2008 at 11:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So did she turn to selling drugs because her Social Security wasn't cutting it or what!
Just because you are 75 doesn't mean you get a "get out of jail free card".
I am sure she will be in the geriatrics wing of the jail
Stupid doesn't go away with age.
I am sure her children are very proud!
Posted by UCSBguy on July 5, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
abbyjacks, i bet her children are her number one customer. if the grandma's doin it, how much you wanna bet the whole family is doing it. Check the dog, it might be high as a kite.
Posted by kickinback805 on July 5, 2008 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Even living in the s---tiest part of Oxnard won't save ya!
Posted by West_to_East on July 7, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
nmgirl: really right now people cant say its the parents fault right so they result saying all these other excuses and race but still down grade the family.
It's a shame how all you people just put blame on the family for people's actions. I mean if a family member does good are you going to praise the whole family or parents. No just them.
The Race Card: Get the hell out of here, every single race has f ups so shut that up. Our generation gives up a bad name not nationality.
Posted by scottyspasm on July 7, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the investigation has been going on for about a month, then I'm sure they have done undercover buys with Grandma, thus justifying the search warrant. Also, an ounce of meth and an ounce of coke is plenty of dope on its own to justify a sales case. It's also illegal to possess any firearm while either under the influence of meth/coke or possessing said drugs, so I believe Granny is done on this case. She was probably released with a future court date due to medical issues and lack of any prior arrests...
Posted by sirdvsdsw on July 7, 2008 at 9:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And we all thought grandma just had a lot of energy for her age....shame on you grammy! Now who's gonna watch the Mata sisters kids???
Posted by mIssSIdekIck on July 7, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lol oh my goodness... yes im sorry but this story is alittle funny!! How are you gonna be that old & be selling drugs, to top it off she was set with them guns @her home!! hehehe... that's crazy! & whats up with the street?? Orange st. in Nyland.. everytime I read about something happening there it's always on Orange.... that's crazy!! ;D
Posted by mamaof2 on July 7, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so camdad what do u think about the guy who stabbed is sister in law in the neck? do you think his race and culture played a part in it?
Posted by BeaHappi on July 7, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Camdad101...oh come on, there is crime in Camarillo too. And illegal immigrants...and the "raza."
What's your point?
Posted by lilmamma on July 7, 2008 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Grandman wtf?? ur supposed to be setting an example for your family. At 75 you are so close to death why risk sittin in jail.Grandma if you need money Ill put money on your books.
Posted by meander on July 8, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
maybe she took the rap for relatives or friends, thinking "they won't put a 75-year old grandma in jail"...
Posted by iluvSP on July 9, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Going to grandma's for 'cookies' has a whole new meaning.
Posted by mamaof2 on July 9, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lol!
Posted by LivinInPoorMansPV on July 10, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Our generation gives us a bad name not nationality."
I second that!
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