Costa Mesa K-9 "Aran" Sniffs Out 20 Pounds of Ketamine and $100k in Major Multi-Agency Raid

Three men were arrested in Costa Mesa after K-9 Aran helped detectives find 20 pounds of ketamine and $100,000 in cash. Read about the violent confrontation and arrest.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 11, 2026, 5:30 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the Orange County Register and Costa Mesa Today.

High-Stakes Surveillance and Arrests

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD), in collaboration with the Anaheim Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), executed a high-priority narcotics operation last Friday in the area of Harbor Boulevard and Wilson Street. The investigation targeted a suspected drug trafficking ring operating within Orange County.

The situation escalated when one suspect attempted to evade capture by intentionally striking a police vehicle with his car. Despite the assault, officers were able to detain the individual, who now faces an additional charge of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon. Two other suspects were apprehended shortly after during a coordinated vehicle stop nearby.

The Role of K-9 Aran

The success of the bust was punctuated by the work of Aran, a skilled member of the Costa Mesa Police Department’s K-9 unit. Following the initial detentions, Aran was deployed to search the vehicles and associated locations. The K-9 provided positive alerts that led detectives to discover 20 pounds of ketamine and approximately $100,000 in bundled cash.

Ketamine, a Schedule III controlled substance often used as a dissociative anesthetic, has seen a rise in illicit distribution due to its high street value and potential for abuse. Officials noted that 20 pounds represents a "major distribution level" quantity, suggesting the trio played a significant role in the local supply chain.