Fountain Valley, CA – Police have arrested a local man accused of running an ongoing drug-dealing operation, leading to the seizure of a wide range of narcotics and thousands in cash. Authorities say the arrest capped off weeks of surveillance and undercover work by the Fountain Valley Police Department.
What Police Say Led to the Arrest
According to officials, investigators focused on 43-year-old Fountain Valley resident Minh Hien Tran after receiving complaints about suspected drug activity. Detectives conducted surveillance and on November 25 allegedly witnessed Tran engaging in a narcotics transaction.
The person attempting to buy drugs was detained, though police did not release their identity. After the stop, officers moved quickly to secure a search warrant for Tran’s residence.
What Officers Discovered Inside the Home
Police reported that the search turned up a significant quantity of illicit substances, paraphernalia, and cash. Officers say they found:
- 141.1 grams of ketamine
- 94 grams of cocaine base
- 79 grams of MDMA
- 67.5 grams of cocaine
- 13.4 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
- 178 ecstasy pills
- 83 capsules containing an unknown powder
- Hundreds of suspected counterfeit pills, including Adderall, alprazolam, and hydrocodone
- $3,232 in cash
Police stated the combined street value of the narcotics exceeded $44,000. Digital scales and packaging materials were also recovered, indicating, investigators say, active drug-selling operations.
Charges Tran Now Faces
Tran has been charged with four felony counts of possession with intent to sell, including cocaine, cocaine base, ketamine, and methamphetamine.
He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on Monday and is currently booked in the Orange County Jail. His bail has been set at $500,000.
Prior Arrest and Earlier Seizure
This was not the first time Tran came under law-enforcement scrutiny. In May, officers responded to a domestic-disturbance call in the 16000 block of Rosewood Street. During that investigation, police say they uncovered:
- 3,923 grams of illicit narcotics
- Four firearms
- $21,894 in cash
Tran was previously booked on suspicion of manufacturing and possessing drugs with intent to sell, along with weapons-related offenses.
Continued Surveillance and Another November Arrest
Fountain Valley police said they received further complaints in the months after the May arrest. On November 14, the department’s Special Investigative Unit conducted undercover surveillance and allegedly witnessed Tran carrying out multiple drug deals…