Two Arrested After Santa Clara County Authorities Uncover Alleged Smuggling Operation at the Elmwood Correctional Complex
MILPITAS, CA — Two individuals have been arrested in connection with an alleged coordinated scheme to smuggle contraband into the Elmwood Correctional Complex jail facilities.
According to a press release by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies began investigation at the Elmwood Correctional Complex in January after discovering that, over several weeks, approximately 650 grams of packaged methamphetamine, as well as cannabis or tobacco, were thrown over perimeter fences or discovered by deputies inside the facility.
Jail Intelligence Unit deputies coordinated with lead detective Sergeant Rickey Young to try to determine how the drops were being coordinated, resulting in the issuance of multiple search warrants to identify those involved, according to the sheriff’s office.
Detectives ultimately identified two individuals as suspects, 55-year-old Lim Vo and 41-year-old Long Nguyen, both of San Jose.
In February, detectives and the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team carried out a search warrant at a residence on the 3400 block of Gradell Place in San Jose.
During this search, deputies allegedly seized prescription pills packaged for sale, stolen checks and IDs, mail, mail keys, drug paraphernalia, around 20 grams of methamphetamine, a “small amount” of heroin, and four illegal gambling machines.
Both individuals were arrested and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of selling controlled substances to incarcerated individuals, possession of methamphetamine for sale, and identity theft.
“Sergeant Young did an outstanding job leading this investigation and drafting the warrants that brought the peaces together,” Assistant Sheriff Adam Oberdorfer said.
“These arrests send a clear message that attempts to smuggle drugs into our facilities will not be tolerated.”
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies assisted in the arrests of the suspects, and the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) assisted detectives with carrying out the search warrants at the Gradell Place location, according to the sheriff’s office.
