Five individuals were arrested on Wednesday in Anaheim following a police operation targeting the illegal sale of pills at an indoor swap meet.
The arrests occurred after Anaheim police executed search warrants at three stores within the Anaheim Marketplace, a large indoor swap meet. The investigation focused on the alleged sale of Farmapram, a foreign brand of alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, without prescriptions.
According to Anaheim Police Sgt. Matt Sutter, undercover minors were able to purchase the pills from these businesses, highlighting a serious problem. The investigation identified three vendors allegedly selling the illegal pills, which were reportedly brought into Orange County from outside the United States and sold by the bottle. Each bottle contained 90 pills and was sold for approximately $150.
The operation resulted in the arrest of four individuals at the Anaheim Marketplace. Earlier in the day, police arrested 42-year-old Nilva Cana at her home in Anaheim. Investigators suspect Cana owned the three stores involved and was in charge of the operation. The police plan to file the case with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, seeking severe penalties for those involved.
Police have yet to determine whether the seized pills were laced with other substances, such as fentanyl. This will be part of the ongoing investigation.