Narcotics Arrests - South Bay 

August 25, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff’s Office officials report that a man and a juvenile have been arrested after being found with narcotics in the South Bay.

On Friday, August 22, just before 10:00 a.m., Sheriff's Detectives were conducting surveillance near 3rd and Orange Avenues in Chula Vista. This was part of an effort to counter cross-border narcotics smuggling activity in the region.

Photo of fentanyl that was found in suspect's backpack.

During this operation, Sheriff's Detectives saw a young man who was carrying a heavy backpack meet with a juvenile. After the man handed him the backpack, the juvenile walked into a nearby liquor store. Detectives contacted him to conduct a truancy assessment. They learned the juvenile was a 13-year-old and the backpack he was carrying contained five kilograms of powdered fentanyl.

Both the juvenile and the man who gave him the backpack, later identified as Martin Corona (19), were arrested and taken to the Imperial Beach Sheriff's Substation. Corona, who was already on probation for felony narcotics convictions, is facing charges of narcotics trafficking, child endangerment and conspiracy.

The juvenile was cited and released to the custody of his parents. It is the policy of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office not to release identifying information about minor suspects.

Source & photo: San Diego County Sheriff’s Office