Sunnyvale police have busted two suspects for orchestrating drug treasure hunts in a local park.

On July 21, Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS), in conjunction with Santa Clara County Specialized Enforcement Team (SCCSET), conducted an undercover sting, arresting two suspects accused of selling meth in Fair Oaks Park, 540 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

As part of proactive enforcement efforts, police embedded undercover officers at the park to investigate suspected drug activity, according to DPS. During the investigation, officers identified two primary drug dealers and determined the methods they used to conduct drug deals. On numerous occasions, officers say they successfully purchased methamphetamine from both suspects.

Paige Johnson, a spokesperson for DPS, wrote in an email that, because the investigation is “ongoing,” the amount of information the department could release was “limited.” She would not release information on the suspects.

Investigators learned that the suspects often lightly buried narcotics beneath tanbark, in shrubbery, or under stationary objects throughout the park. 

After customers paid the suspects, the suspects would allegedly leave the park quickly. They would direct customers to the hidden location of the narcotics, effectively creating a sort of treasure hunt to complete to retrieve the drugs. 

Another method involved selling narcotics directly from a vehicle parked in the area. The tactics minimized direct hand-to-hand exchanges and reduced the likelihood police would spot the suspects selling drugs.

Following the arrest, police executed search warrants at Sunnyvale residences and vehicles “associated” with the suspects. During those searches, investigators located “additional evidence” related to narcotics sales. Police impounded the vehicles allegedly used to conduct the sales.

Both of the unnamed suspects are in custody at Santa Clara County Jail, 150 W. Hedding St. in San Jose. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges related to the sale and transportation of controlled substances. DPS would not disclose the exact charges.

Contact David Alexander d.todd.alexander@gmail.com 

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