The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A Southern California man has been arrested for allegations that he used a drone as a method of delivering drugs to customers.
51-year-old John Thomas Piani is a California native residing in Simi Valley.
According to the Simi Valley Police Department, the Simi Valley Police Department Homeless Liaison Officers and Narcotics Detectives were looking into Piani for the belief that he was selling methamphetamine and heroin.
The authorities reportedly collected enough probable cause to warrant paying Piani a visit concerning the situation.
An officer with the Simi Valley Police Department went to the man’s home. When they arrived, it was reported that Piani was in the process of operating a drone, otherwise known as an unmanned aircraft system.
Piani was detained for the drug sales allegations.
The authorities searched the area to see if they could locate the drone he was reportedly flying when they arrived.
After the device was found, the police reported that they found a bag affixed to it.
When checking the contents, the police asserted that the bag contained heroin. They reportedly determined that Piani was implementing the device to make deliveries to his drug-seeking customers.
Piani was taken into custody, and he was booked into the Ventura County Jail. He is expected to face charges for suspicion of two felony counts of possession for a sale of a controlled substance, in addition to a misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance.
It was reported that the authorities are still looking into the possibility that the drone was regularly used as a part of Piani’s alleged drug operation.
He is currently being held on a $125,000 bail.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a drug offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.