Holly MatkinSimi Valley, CA – An alleged drug dealer was caught trying to use a drone to deliver heroin to his customers, according to police.
Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) narcotics detectives and homeless liaison officers had been investigating 51-year-old John Piani for alleged sales of methamphetamine and heroin, the agency said in a press release on Saturday.
A SVPD patrol officer located Piani in the 900-block of Enchanted Way on Saturday, but when police moved in to arrest him, they discovered he had been “operating a drone,” according to the department.
Investigators tracked down the drone and allegedly discovered a package of heroin secured to it.
“Seemed like a good idea…It wasn’t,” the SVPD said in an Instagram post alongside a photo of the drone on Saturday. “Heroin sales, even in Class A-G Air Space, is heroin sales. Found this gem on a suspected heroin dealer.”
The SVPD said “further investigation” is underway “in order to confirm the involvement of the drone” in Piani’s alleged drug-delivery operation, according to the press release.
Police believe 51-year-old Simi man was operating a drone, which they say had heroin attached to it. pic.twitter.com/RsWEf6Ih0c
— Sylvie B (@Sylviebelmond) March 20, 2021
Piani was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of controlled substance possession and two counts of possessing a controlled substance for sale, according to the Los Angeles Times.
His bail was set at $125,000.
Man arrested after drone found with a bag of heroin on board, Simi Valley police say https://t.co/qIJ11L0w6a pic.twitter.com/5bGsQJMNI0
— Andrew Gunther (@followyouv) March 21, 2021
Piani’s arraignment is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Sandy Malone