Matt Mahan

Sometimes, you have to wonder if politicians paid any attention in math class.&nbsp;

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Sometimes, you have to wonder if politicians paid any attention in math class.&nbsp;

That&#8217;s the feeling I get when I see Sacramento lawmakers suggest that a policy reform that will save billions of dollars, while improving public safety, is too costly for California. Have these people ever calculated a return on investment?&nbsp;

That's the feeling I get when I see Sacramento lawmakers suggest that a policy reform that will save billions of dollars, while improving public safety, is too costly for California. Have these people ever calculated a return on investment?&nbsp;

That&#8217;s the feeling I get when I see Sacramento lawmakers suggest that a policy reform that will save billions of dollars, while improving public safety, is too costly for California. Have these people ever calculated a return on investment?&nbsp;

Proposition 36 on our November ballot seeks to reduce homelessness, retail theft, and drug overdose deaths by bringing back <a href="https://www.innovatingjustice.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2020-03/report_sentencingreform_03262020.pdf">court-ordered mandatory treatment</a> — a policy intervention that can save <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1681530/">up to $7 for every dollar spent</a>.

Proposition 36 on our November ballot seeks to reduce homelessness, retail theft, and drug overdose deaths by bringing back <a href="https://www.innovatingjustice.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2020-03/report_sentencingreform_03262020.pdf">court-ordered mandatory treatment</a> — a policy intervention that can save <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1681530/">up to $7 for every dollar spent</a>.

Since the 2014 passage of Proposition 47, the number of homeless residents of California has increased <a href="https://www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2023-102-1/">by 62,000</a> — more than 53% —&nbsp; even though homelessness is <a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/xls/2007-2023-PIT-Counts-by-State.xlsb">falling in most other states</a>.&nbsp;

Since the 2014 passage of Proposition 47, the number of homeless residents of California has increased <a href="https://www.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2023-102-1/">by 62,000</a> — more than 53% —&nbsp; even though homelessness is <a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/xls/2007-2023-PIT-Counts-by-State.xlsb">falling in most other states</a>.&nbsp;

It now costs <a href="https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2024/04/california-homelessness-spending/">at least $50,000</a> per year just to “manage” the costs of each person living on our streets. That adds up to $3.1 billion annually. In California we also pay a <a href="https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/10/us-retail-theft-is-about-95-billion-and-california-leads-with-7-8-billion.html">“theft tax” of nearly $8 billion</a> per year, roughly $200 for each resident, because of the soaring cost of retail theft.

It now costs <a href="https://calmatters.org/housing/homelessness/2024/04/california-homelessness-spending/">at least $50,000</a> per year just to “manage” the costs of each person living on our streets. That adds up to $3.1 billion annually. In California we also pay a <a href="https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2023/10/us-retail-theft-is-about-95-billion-and-california-leads-with-7-8-billion.html">“theft tax” of nearly $8 billion</a> per year, roughly $200 for each resident, because of the soaring cost of retail theft.

The <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/14/tough-on-crime-california-democrats-00173998">Sacramento politicians</a> who oppose Proposition 36 have decided it costs too much to get people into treatment and lower this theft tax by creating simple consequences for repeated criminal behavior.

The <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/14/tough-on-crime-california-democrats-00173998">Sacramento politicians</a> who oppose Proposition 36 have decided it costs too much to get people into treatment and lower this theft tax by creating simple consequences for repeated criminal behavior.

That means they can’t calculate a simple ROI.

That means they can’t calculate a simple ROI.

I came into local politics from business, having helped build one of the largest applications on Facebook and co-founding a civic tech startup. Calculating expected ROI was one of the most important drivers of every decision we made.&nbsp;

I came into local politics from business, having helped build one of the largest applications on Facebook and co-founding a civic tech startup. Calculating expected ROI was one of the most important drivers of every decision we made.&nbsp;

I’ve brought that same mindset to my role as mayor of San Jose. One of the first things I did was change our approach to homelessness — moving funds away from an approach that costs $1 million per unit and takes five years to build to one that’s one-tenth the cost and takes one-fifth the time: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2aZzygLZNM">tiny home communities</a>. Once someone is brought indoors, it costs us $30,000 per year to keep them there and get them on a better path. To leave people to suffer and die on the streets in my city, on the other hand, costs <a href="https://destinationhomesv.org/home-not-found-the-cost-of-homelessness-in-silicon-valley/">$65,000 per person per year</a>.&nbsp;

I’ve brought that same mindset to my role as mayor of San Jose. One of the first things I did was change our approach to homelessness — moving funds away from an approach that costs $1 million per unit and takes five years to build to one that’s one-tenth the cost and takes one-fifth the time: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2aZzygLZNM">tiny home communities</a>. Once someone is brought indoors, it costs us $30,000 per year to keep them there and get them on a better path. To leave people to suffer and die on the streets in my city, on the other hand, costs <a href="https://destinationhomesv.org/home-not-found-the-cost-of-homelessness-in-silicon-valley/">$65,000 per person per year</a>.&nbsp;

The California legislative analyst’s office concludes that implementing Prop. 36 will cost “several tens of millions to the low hundreds of millions.” If you assume the initial investment in these reforms is $100 million, that would be one-third of one percent of the state’s annual budget.

The California legislative analyst’s office concludes that implementing Prop. 36 will cost “several tens of millions to the low hundreds of millions.” If you assume the initial investment in these reforms is $100 million, that would be one-third of one percent of the state’s annual budget.

That’s what you invest. The return on that investment comes from a drop in retail theft, a decrease in fatal drug overdoses, and a reduction in the homeless population.

That’s what you invest. The return on that investment comes from a drop in retail theft, a decrease in fatal drug overdoses, and a reduction in the homeless population.

Let’s do the math. Proposition 36 would need to reduce retail thefts by only 1.2% to pay for itself in Year One. The measure would restore deterrence by imposing consequences for those who repeatedly engage in the kind of petty thefts that were essentially decriminalized a decade ago with the passage of Prop. 47. And, importantly, it would give judges latitude to address the underlying conditions that can push addicts into such activity by mandating treatment for certain offenders.

Let’s do the math. Proposition 36 would need to reduce retail thefts by only 1.2% to pay for itself in Year One. The measure would restore deterrence by imposing consequences for those who repeatedly engage in the kind of petty thefts that were essentially decriminalized a decade ago with the passage of Prop. 47. And, importantly, it would give judges latitude to address the underlying conditions that can push addicts into such activity by mandating treatment for certain offenders.

Next, let’s look at homelessness.

California’s homeless population <a href="https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/our-impact/studies/california-statewide-study-people-experiencing-homelessness">disproportionately struggles </a>with substance abuse, which can lead vulnerable people into a destructive cycle of <a href="https://www.sdcda.org/content/MediaRelease/Homeless%20Data%20and%20Plan%20News%20Release%20FINAL%203-21-22.pdf">either perpetrating or becoming a victim</a> of crime. Prop. 36 can help break the cycle by deterring crime and compelling more people who need help to enter treatment.&nbsp;

California’s homeless population <a href="https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/our-impact/studies/california-statewide-study-people-experiencing-homelessness">disproportionately struggles </a>with substance abuse, which can lead vulnerable people into a destructive cycle of <a href="https://www.sdcda.org/content/MediaRelease/Homeless%20Data%20and%20Plan%20News%20Release%20FINAL%203-21-22.pdf">either perpetrating or becoming a victim</a> of crime. Prop. 36 can help break the cycle by deterring crime and compelling more people who need help to enter treatment.&nbsp;

Indeed, just a 5% reduction in our state’s <a href="https://www.housingca.org/policy/focus/homelessness/">chronically homeless</a> population — nearly 50,000 Californians who have been homeless at least a year and are struggling with substance abuse, mental illness, or another disabling condition — would save $122 million per year that local governments are already spending on emergency response, sanitation, and other Band-Aid fixes for sprawling encampments.

Indeed, just a 5% reduction in our state’s <a href="https://www.housingca.org/policy/focus/homelessness/">chronically homeless</a> population — nearly 50,000 Californians who have been homeless at least a year and are struggling with substance abuse, mental illness, or another disabling condition — would save $122 million per year that local governments are already spending on emergency response, sanitation, and other Band-Aid fixes for sprawling encampments.

If Sacramento politicians were running the numbers, they would see that even under the most cautious estimates, Proposition 36 would deliver a safer and less expensive state with reforms that do more than pay for themselves — they generate substantial savings.

If Sacramento politicians were running the numbers, they would see that even under the most cautious estimates, Proposition 36 would deliver a safer and less expensive state with reforms that do more than pay for themselves — they generate substantial savings.

The savings are even higher and more compelling when you calculate the moral imperative to save lives. <a href="https://calhps.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04_CalHPS_CA_Overdose_Report_Final.pdf">More than 12,000</a> of our fellow Californians died last year of drug overdoses. A decade ago, the toll was just over 4,000. Drug overdoses are now the <a href="https://calhps.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04_CalHPS_CA_Overdose_Report_Final.pdf">leading cause of death</a> for Californians under age 45. By mandating treatment, Prop. 36 won’t save just billions of dollars, but lives.People doing actual math, not “Sacramento math,” will almost certainly conclude that Prop. 36 will pay for itself. And clearly voters are better at math than many politicians, since every poll shows Prop. 36 with a <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article293493304.html">commanding lead</a> — despite the opposition in Sacramento. Matt Mahan is the mayor of San Jose.

The savings are even higher and more compelling when you calculate the moral imperative to save lives. <a href="https://calhps.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04_CalHPS_CA_Overdose_Report_Final.pdf">More than 12,000</a> of our fellow Californians died last year of drug overdoses. A decade ago, the toll was just over 4,000. Drug overdoses are now the <a href="https://calhps.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-04_CalHPS_CA_Overdose_Report_Final.pdf">leading cause of death</a> for Californians under age 45. By mandating treatment, Prop. 36 won’t save just billions of dollars, but lives.People doing actual math, not “Sacramento math,” will almost certainly conclude that Prop. 36 will pay for itself. And clearly voters are better at math than many politicians, since every poll shows Prop. 36 with a <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article293493304.html">commanding lead</a> — despite the opposition in Sacramento. Matt Mahan is the mayor of San Jose.

A mayor’s economic case for getting tougher on repeat offenders

Opinion: A mayor’s economic case for getting tougher on repeat offenders

Jonah Owen Lamb

The wads of cash were often so large they couldn&#8217;t fit through the teller’s window. But the staff at an Oakland money transfer service was obliging and often opened a side door to take the money.&nbsp;

The wads of cash were often so large they couldn't fit through the teller’s window. But the staff at an Oakland money transfer service was obliging and often opened a side door to take the money.&nbsp;

The wads of cash were often so large they couldn&#8217;t fit through the teller’s window. But the staff at an Oakland money transfer service was obliging and often opened a side door to take the money.&nbsp;

The payments were not the savings of U.S.-based immigrants sending cash to needy family members back home. Instead, Rincon Musical’s owner, Felipe Mora, and three employees were helping local drug dealers launder more than $100,000 in profits, according to the Internal Revenue Service investigators, who say the quartet surreptitiously sent money to Mexico from 2020 to 2022.&nbsp;

The payments were not the savings of U.S.-based immigrants sending cash to needy family members back home. Instead, Rincon Musical’s owner, Felipe Mora, and three employees were helping local drug dealers launder more than $100,000 in profits, according to the Internal Revenue Service investigators, who say the quartet surreptitiously sent money to Mexico from 2020 to 2022.&nbsp;

Mora and his employees, say federal authorities, “neither cared nor asked if the cash was derived from drug sales.”&nbsp;

Mora and his employees, say federal authorities, “neither cared nor asked if the cash was derived from drug sales.”&nbsp;

The investigation sheds light on one way profits from drug sales in the Bay Area are making their way back to Mexico.&nbsp;

The investigation sheds light on one way profits from drug sales in the Bay Area are making their way back to Mexico.&nbsp;

The scheme is part of a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mexico-drugs-remittances/">growing trend of drug suppliers using remittances to repatriate</a> profits to suspected drug cartels, which authorities suspect are playing a bigger role in street-level drug dealing.&nbsp;

The scheme is part of a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/mexico-drugs-remittances/">growing trend of drug suppliers using remittances to repatriate</a> profits to suspected drug cartels, which authorities suspect are playing a bigger role in street-level drug dealing.&nbsp;

Felipe Mora, owner of Rincon Musical at 4711 International Blvd. in Oakland, and three employees, were helping local drug dealers launder more than $100,000 in profits, according to the Internal Revenue Service investigators, who say the quartet surreptitiously sent money to Mexico from 2020 to 2022.

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/inlined01_20240402moneylaundering.jpg?w=1600" alt="a man's face. " class="wp-image-264123"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Felipe Mora, owner of Rincon Musical at 4711 International Blvd. in Oakland, and three employees helped local drug dealers launder more than $100,000 in profits, according to the Internal Revenue Service.</figcaption></figure></div>

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<figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/inlined01_20240402moneylaundering.jpg?w=1600" alt="a man's face. " class="wp-image-264123"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Felipe Mora, owner of Rincon Musical at 4711 International Blvd. in Oakland, and three employees helped local drug dealers launder more than $100,000 in profits, according to the Internal Revenue Service.</figcaption></figure>

Until recently cartels made much of their profits smuggling narcotics across the border for sale to street gangs, which in turn distributed the illicit drugs. &nbsp;

Until recently cartels made much of their profits smuggling narcotics across the border for sale to street gangs, which in turn distributed the illicit drugs. &nbsp;

Court records state that one drug dealer who cooperated with federal law enforcement was “often instructed by his source of supply to send money back to Mexico.”&nbsp;

Court records state that one drug dealer who cooperated with federal law enforcement was “often instructed by his source of supply to send money back to Mexico.”&nbsp;

Mora, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy money laundering charges, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on March 19. His co-defendants, one of whom eventually opened another money remittance service named America Latina, have made plea deals and await their sentencing.

Mora, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy money laundering charges, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on March 19. His co-defendants, one of whom eventually opened another money remittance service named America Latina, have made plea deals and await their sentencing.

“Money and greed are the foundation of the cartel business model and Mora provided a lifeline by laundering drug proceeds,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark in a statement.&nbsp;

“Money and greed are the foundation of the cartel business model and Mora provided a lifeline by laundering drug proceeds,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark in a statement.&nbsp;

Mora and his employees, all of whom worked at his now-shuttered businesses on International Avenue in the Fruitvale neighborhood, did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;

Mora and his employees, all of whom worked at his now-shuttered businesses on International Avenue in the Fruitvale neighborhood, did not respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;

Busted dealers and confidential informants&nbsp;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-busted-dealers-and-confidential-informants-nbsp">Busted dealers and confidential informants&nbsp;</h2>

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-busted-dealers-and-confidential-informants-nbsp">Busted dealers and confidential informants&nbsp;</h2>

The investigation, headed by the IRS and the Drug Enforcement Agency, began in 2020 after the arrest of a Honduran drug dealer who eventually revealed how drug profits were sent back to Mexico. That unnamed dealer, and a second who used the service, told officials how the money laundering scheme worked, according to the affidavit written by IRS Special Agent Lisa Sasso.&nbsp;

The investigation, headed by the IRS and the Drug Enforcement Agency, began in 2020 after the arrest of a Honduran drug dealer who eventually revealed how drug profits were sent back to Mexico. That unnamed dealer, and a second who used the service, told officials how the money laundering scheme worked, according to the affidavit written by IRS Special Agent Lisa Sasso.&nbsp;

Before the charges were filed and the shop was shut down, the dealers would often bring bags of cash to the store and hand them over to several trusted tellers—Griselda Liceaga, Veronica Mora and Yoselin Perez Ramirez—all of whom have since been charged.

Before the charges were filed and the shop was shut down, the dealers would often bring bags of cash to the store and hand them over to several trusted tellers—Griselda Liceaga, Veronica Mora and Yoselin Perez Ramirez—all of whom have since been charged.

After taking a “fee,” the tellers sent sums below $3,000, a threshold that they knew would not be flagged by law enforcement or regulators.&nbsp;

After taking a “fee,” the tellers sent sums below $3,000, a threshold that they knew would not be flagged by law enforcement or regulators.&nbsp;

The tellers used their access to multiple legitimate accounts to hide the identity of the dealers who were paying them to send money to Mexico. In turn, the tellers used the identity of normal legal customers to obscure each real sender. The recipients’ identities were also masked.&nbsp;

The tellers used their access to multiple legitimate accounts to hide the identity of the dealers who were paying them to send money to Mexico. In turn, the tellers used the identity of normal legal customers to obscure each real sender. The recipients’ identities were also masked.&nbsp;

All of this was coordinated via phone messages. Instead of communicating details of the recipients in person, the drug dealers had the WhatsApp accounts of the tellers, to whom they sent the details about the recipients. Their relationship was so close that one dealer would deliver loads of cash and leave it at the money transfer location, only later instructing the tellers to whom and where to send it.&nbsp;

All of this was coordinated via phone messages. Instead of communicating details of the recipients in person, the drug dealers had the WhatsApp accounts of the tellers, to whom they sent the details about the recipients. Their relationship was so close that one dealer would deliver loads of cash and leave it at the money transfer location, only later instructing the tellers to whom and where to send it.&nbsp;

The employees had specific knowledge about the whole process and how not to get caught because they are required to take annual anti-money-laundering training, court documents say.

The employees had specific knowledge about the whole process and how not to get caught because they are required to take annual anti-money-laundering training, court documents say.

People walk past Rincon Musical  at 4711 International Blvd in Oakland. For several years, hundreds of thousands of dollars of drug profits have been funneled back to Mexico via a non description storefront on International Avenue in Oakland called Rincon Musical. According to court documents, two tellers and the owner, all of whom took payments for their illegal scheme, knew how to skirt money laundering rules (they'd all been trained and certified) by sending small amounts and masking the sender by using the names and ID's of existing remittance customers.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/inlined02_20240402moneylaundering.jpg?w=1900" alt="A man walks past a store. " class="wp-image-264124"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">People walk past Rincon Musical at 4711 International Blvd. in Oakland. For several years, hundreds of thousands of dollars of drug profits were funneled to Mexico via the store, which specialized in sending remittances abroad. </figcaption></figure>

When federal investigators recruited confidential sources to try to send cash in the same way, both were successful during the January 2022 operation.&nbsp;

When federal investigators recruited confidential sources to try to send cash in the same way, both were successful during the January 2022 operation.&nbsp;

One undercover informant told the teller he wanted to send money for his “boss” and did not want to use his real name. The teller obliged.&nbsp;

One undercover informant told the teller he wanted to send money for his “boss” and did not want to use his real name. The teller obliged.&nbsp;

When the informant approached an unnamed teller, the teller asked a series of questions about who sent the informant and whether they had a WhatsApp photo of the man who sent him or his cellphone number.&nbsp;

When the informant approached an unnamed teller, the teller asked a series of questions about who sent the informant and whether they had a WhatsApp photo of the man who sent him or his cellphone number.&nbsp;

The informant had no information to give, but the teller, Veronica Mora, eventually told him to show her an image of his boss next time and agreed to send the money anyway.

The informant had no information to give, but the teller, Veronica Mora, eventually told him to show her an image of his boss next time and agreed to send the money anyway.

“So that you’re not asked to provide ID, you have to send less than one thousand dollars, but that is per month,” Mora told him.&nbsp;

“So that you’re not asked to provide ID, you have to send less than one thousand dollars, but that is per month,” Mora told him.&nbsp;

The second confidential source was also successful when they visited the next month and teller Yoselin Perez Ramirez sent $8,785 in three separate chunks to three recipients whose names were never provided. She also used names, addresses and identifications that masked the informant’s identity. She then charged him a transaction fee of $95 and an unrecorded fee of $120.&nbsp;

The second confidential source was also successful when they visited the next month and teller Yoselin Perez Ramirez sent $8,785 in three separate chunks to three recipients whose names were never provided. She also used names, addresses and identifications that masked the informant’s identity. She then charged him a transaction fee of $95 and an unrecorded fee of $120.&nbsp;

Cash used by a confidential informant to conduct an illegal wire transfer Rincon Musical at 4711 International Blvd. in Oakland. The illegal transfer included $18,000 in cash in a brown paper bag, inside a plastic bag.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/inlined03_20240402moneylaundering.jpg?w=1144" alt="a stack of cash. " class="wp-image-264125"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A confidential informant used this cash to conduct an illegal wire transfer at Rincon Musical at 4711 International Blvd. in Oakland. The illegal transfer included $18,000.</figcaption></figure>

On another occasion in April 2022, the second informant contacted Perez Ramirez and told her he wanted to wire $20,000 to Culiacan, Mexico, which federal authors said is a narco-trafficking hot spot. The next day, he entered the store with $20,000 in a plastic bag. Perez Ramirez then wired all of the money in eight separate tranches to Mexico using California licenses as ID and Mexican identities of people not involved in the operation.&nbsp;

On another occasion in April 2022, the second informant contacted Perez Ramirez and told her he wanted to wire $20,000 to Culiacan, Mexico, which federal authors said is a narco-trafficking hot spot. The next day, he entered the store with $20,000 in a plastic bag. Perez Ramirez then wired all of the money in eight separate tranches to Mexico using California licenses as ID and Mexican identities of people not involved in the operation.&nbsp;

The shop’s owner, Felipe Mora, who now works at Target, has taken responsibility for his illegal operation and expressed remorse.&nbsp; “Ultimately, the least I can do for my family after my selfish actions that led to this case is to make every attempt to serve my time as quickly as possible so I can go back to support my family,” he wrote to the court before his sentence was finalized.

The shop’s owner, Felipe Mora, who now works at Target, has taken responsibility for his illegal operation and expressed remorse.&nbsp; “Ultimately, the least I can do for my family after my selfish actions that led to this case is to make every attempt to serve my time as quickly as possible so I can go back to support my family,” he wrote to the court before his sentence was finalized.

Tiny Oakland storefront laundered big cash for drug cartels, feds say

Josh Koehn

Federal prosecutors are planning to take a more aggressive approach to charging <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/05/san-francisco-mayor-says-drug-dealers-are-moving-away-from-the-tenderloin-are-they/">suspected drug dealers in San Francisco</a> as the city grapples with record-high overdoses, according to sources familiar with the new plan.

San Francisco mayor says drug dealers are moving away from the Tenderloin. Are they?

Federal prosecutors are planning to take a more aggressive approach to charging <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/06/05/san-francisco-mayor-says-drug-dealers-are-moving-away-from-the-tenderloin-are-they/">suspected drug dealers in San Francisco</a> as the city grapples with record-high overdoses, according to sources familiar with the new plan.

Exact details are being held close to the vest, but officials for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Police Department have been meeting for weeks in preparation of an official rollout that is expected to be formally announced in the next month.&nbsp;

Exact details are being held close to the vest, but officials for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Police Department have been meeting for weeks in preparation of an official rollout that is expected to be formally announced in the next month.&nbsp;

Abraham Simmons, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told The Standard that the plan is to prosecute more drug-dealing cases in federal court, describing it as the result of&nbsp; intense coordination between local and federal officials.

Abraham Simmons, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, told The Standard that the plan is to prosecute more drug-dealing cases in federal court, describing it as the result of&nbsp; intense coordination between local and federal officials.

“It’s all hands on deck,” Simmons said.&nbsp;

“It’s all hands on deck,” Simmons said.&nbsp;

Attorney Ismail Ramsey, representing Mohammed Nuru, director of San Francisco Public Works, arrives at a federal courthouse in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. The FBI arrested public works director Mohammed Nuru and restaurateur Nick Bovis last week, saying the men schemed in 2018 to bribe a San Francisco airport commissioner for prime restaurant space at San Francisco International Airport.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/INLINED_DrugDealingCases09122023.jpg?w=2500" alt="" class="wp-image-199576"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey, who had his own private practice at the time of this photo, arrives at a federal courthouse in San Francisco on Feb. 6, 2020.</figcaption></figure>

A surge in overdose deaths in the city—473 died in the first half of this year, while 647 died in all of 2022—expedited the Drug Enforcement Agency’s plans to deploy federal officers in San Francisco, according to the agency.&nbsp;

A surge in overdose deaths in the city—473 died in the first half of this year, while 647 died in all of 2022—expedited the Drug Enforcement Agency’s plans to deploy federal officers in San Francisco, according to the agency.&nbsp;

Instead of rolling out “Phase 3” of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/04/over-220-pounds-of-drugs-seized-in-3-months-in-san-franciscos-tenderloin-soma-neighborhoods/">Operation Overdrive</a>, a national strategy to infiltrate drug markets in cities across the country, federal officials decided to deploy operations this summer in San Francisco. Authorities say Chinese chemical companies are providing precursor chemicals to manufacture drugs to then be distributed by two cartels in Mexico: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Over 220 pounds of drugs seized in 3 months in San Francisco&#8217;s Tenderloin, SoMa neighborhoods

Instead of rolling out “Phase 3” of <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/04/over-220-pounds-of-drugs-seized-in-3-months-in-san-franciscos-tenderloin-soma-neighborhoods/">Operation Overdrive</a>, a national strategy to infiltrate drug markets in cities across the country, federal officials decided to deploy operations this summer in San Francisco. Authorities say Chinese chemical companies are providing precursor chemicals to manufacture drugs to then be distributed by two cartels in Mexico: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

“From our side, no one agency is leading this,” said Brian Clark, the DEA’s special agent in charge for operations in San Francisco. “We are all in it together. We are jointly developing a strategy. We’re coordinating our resources, and we are working hand-in-hand as we’re addressing this problem.”&nbsp;

“From our side, no one agency is leading this,” said Brian Clark, the DEA’s special agent in charge for operations in San Francisco. “We are all in it together. We are jointly developing a strategy. We’re coordinating our resources, and we are working hand-in-hand as we’re addressing this problem.”&nbsp;

Federal charges might allow prosecutors to more effectively target drug dealers who are undocumented immigrants. San Francisco’s sanctuary laws generally prohibit local officials from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office has shown less concern for potential deportations after suspects are taken into custody, regardless of whether they are convicted.

Federal charges might allow prosecutors to more effectively target drug dealers who are undocumented immigrants. San Francisco’s sanctuary laws generally prohibit local officials from working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but the U.S. Attorney’s Office has shown less concern for potential deportations after suspects are taken into custody, regardless of whether they are convicted.

In a recent appearance on MSNBC, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who <a href="https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-announces-san-francisco-approved-for-operation-overdrive-to-combat">helped to bring Operation Overdrive to San Francisco</a>, sounded bullish on the initiative and the federal targeting of drug dealers in the city.

In a recent appearance on MSNBC, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who <a href="https://pelosi.house.gov/news/press-releases/pelosi-announces-san-francisco-approved-for-operation-overdrive-to-combat">helped to bring Operation Overdrive to San Francisco</a>, sounded bullish on the initiative and the federal targeting of drug dealers in the city.

“It doesn’t matter if the person is documented or not, they will be prosecuted,” Pelosi said.&nbsp;

“It doesn’t matter if the person is documented or not, they will be prosecuted,” Pelosi said.&nbsp;

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“Our community has had enough,” Pelosi said in a statement to The Standard on Monday. “I applaud the significant involvement of the U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey and other federal officials in taking on the traffickers and getting deadly drugs off of our streets. Operation Overdrive will further support this work by delivering additional federal resources for targeted law enforcement against the criminals doing the most harm to our communities.”

“Our community has had enough,” Pelosi said in a statement to The Standard on Monday. “I applaud the significant involvement of the U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey and other federal officials in taking on the traffickers and getting deadly drugs off of our streets. Operation Overdrive will further support this work by delivering additional federal resources for targeted law enforcement against the criminals doing the most harm to our communities.”

Angela Chan, an assistant chief attorney for the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, expressed doubts that the new strategy would be more than window dressing. She pointed to city police going to federal prosecutors to avoid working with former District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Such actions occurred after he implemented a new policy to <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/San-Francisco-DA-Chesa-Boudin-sets-new-policies-15091160.php">stop charging gang enhancements</a> and allowed undocumented <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/05/17/da-chesa-boudin-fentanyl-court-data-drug-dealing-immigration/">drug-dealing suspects</a> to plead down to lesser charges to help them avoid being deported.

DA Boudin and fentanyl: Court data shows just 3 drug dealing convictions in 2021 as immigration concerns shaped policy

Angela Chan, an assistant chief attorney for the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office, expressed doubts that the new strategy would be more than window dressing. She pointed to city police going to federal prosecutors to avoid working with former District Attorney Chesa Boudin. Such actions occurred after he implemented a new policy to <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/San-Francisco-DA-Chesa-Boudin-sets-new-policies-15091160.php">stop charging gang enhancements</a> and allowed undocumented <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2022/05/17/da-chesa-boudin-fentanyl-court-data-drug-dealing-immigration/">drug-dealing suspects</a> to plead down to lesser charges to help them avoid being deported.

In 2019, federal officials rolled out <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/federal-initiative-tenderloin">a sweeping plan to eradicate drug-dealing and violence in the Tenderloin</a> through a joint effort that employed the help of more than a dozen agencies. The program led to the <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/24/da-critics-say-anti-drug-tenderloin-initiative-is-being-used-to-dodge-sanctuary-city-laws-deport-undocumented-immigrants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deportation of dozens of Honduran nationals</a> but failed to lead to lasting change.

In 2019, federal officials rolled out <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/federal-initiative-tenderloin">a sweeping plan to eradicate drug-dealing and violence in the Tenderloin</a> through a joint effort that employed the help of more than a dozen agencies. The program led to the <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/12/24/da-critics-say-anti-drug-tenderloin-initiative-is-being-used-to-dodge-sanctuary-city-laws-deport-undocumented-immigrants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deportation of dozens of Honduran nationals</a> but failed to lead to lasting change.

“It seems like a lot of shock and awe, but I’m not sure what it will lead to,” Chan said of the new plan. “Whether it’s federal or state prosecutions, either way, it’s not going to lead to a drop in drug sales or drug overdoses. My sense is there is this threat every four years, and then nothing really changes.”

“It seems like a lot of shock and awe, but I’m not sure what it will lead to,” Chan said of the new plan. “Whether it’s federal or state prosecutions, either way, it’s not going to lead to a drop in drug sales or drug overdoses. My sense is there is this threat every four years, and then nothing really changes.”

Mayor London Breed flanked by City Attorney David Chiu, SFPD officers, and DA Brooke Jenkins, and Anni Chung, the President and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, speaks at a press conference where Police Chief Bill Scott announced a plan to increase the uniformed officers in the districts of the city with majority Asian populations, after both mass shootings during the Lunar New Year, despite “staffing crises,” on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, at the Lady Shaw Senior Center in Chinatown, San Francisco. 

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HateCrimeNew-012623-74.jpg?w=1846" alt="" class="wp-image-199583"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">San Francisco Mayor London Breed speaks as District Attorney Brooke Jenkins looks on during a press conference on Jan. 26 at the Lady Shaw Senior Center in Chinatown. </figcaption></figure>

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who succeeded Boudin in office and made drug prosecutions a campaign priority last fall, said in a statement that the increased federal push to investigate and charge drug trafficking in San Francisco “is welcome and appreciated.”&nbsp;

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, who succeeded Boudin in office and made drug prosecutions a campaign priority last fall, said in a statement that the increased federal push to investigate and charge drug trafficking in San Francisco “is welcome and appreciated.”&nbsp;

“After years of working in silos, San Francisco has reached a moment where all levels of government are working together to solve one of the most critical issues facing our city,” Jenkins said.

“After years of working in silos, San Francisco has reached a moment where all levels of government are working together to solve one of the most critical issues facing our city,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/06/brooke-jenkins-promise-end-drug-dealing/">charged more drug cases and secured more felony convictions</a> in her first year than Boudin did in his last year in office. As of Aug. 31, the District Attorney’s Office reported 627 pending felony narcotics cases, with 45% of the suspects facing multiple cases. The rate of cases being filed this year is the highest of any year since 2018, officials said.

Has San Francisco DA Brooke Jenkins’ drug-dealing crackdown made a dent?

Jenkins has <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/07/06/brooke-jenkins-promise-end-drug-dealing/">charged more drug cases and secured more felony convictions</a> in her first year than Boudin did in his last year in office. As of Aug. 31, the District Attorney’s Office reported 627 pending felony narcotics cases, with 45% of the suspects facing multiple cases. The rate of cases being filed this year is the highest of any year since 2018, officials said.

And yet, these charging decisions have yet to make a dent in the rising death toll primarily driven by fentanyl.

And yet, these charging decisions have yet to make a dent in the rising death toll primarily driven by fentanyl.

“By any objective measure, the federal government has been spectacularly unsuccessful at reducing overdoses or drug sales,” Chan said. “So yet another attempt to have the federal government prosecute drug cases will inevitably result in nothing but more wasted resources that can be better spent on public health solutions.”

“By any objective measure, the federal government has been spectacularly unsuccessful at reducing overdoses or drug sales,” Chan said. “So yet another attempt to have the federal government prosecute drug cases will inevitably result in nothing but more wasted resources that can be better spent on public health solutions.”

San Francisco drug crackdown: Officials want drug dealing cases tried in federal court

George Kelly

Tenderloin residents and businesses will file lawsuits Thursday, alleging San Francisco has treated the destitute neighborhood as a &#8220;containment zone&#8221; for illegal drug dealing and use.

Tenderloin residents and businesses will file lawsuits Thursday, alleging San Francisco has treated the destitute neighborhood as a "containment zone" for illegal drug dealing and use.

Tenderloin residents and businesses will file lawsuits Thursday, alleging San Francisco has treated the destitute neighborhood as a &#8220;containment zone&#8221; for illegal drug dealing and use.

A federal lawsuit asserts that the city has failed to address long-standing issues with street safety and crime.

A federal lawsuit asserts that the city has failed to address long-standing issues with street safety and crime.

The plaintiffs include four unnamed residents who are described as families with young children, seniors, disabled residents and two businesses, including the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/31/san-franciscos-phoenix-hotel-is-an-oasis-in-the-tenderloin-now-its-on-the-market-for-15m/">Phoenix Hotel</a> and Best Western. The suit further accuses the city of violating constitutional rights, disability access laws, public nuisance laws and other statutes.

San Francisco’s Phoenix Hotel is an ‘oasis’ in the Tenderloin. It’s on the market for $15M

The plaintiffs include four unnamed residents who are described as families with young children, seniors, disabled residents and two businesses, including the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/01/31/san-franciscos-phoenix-hotel-is-an-oasis-in-the-tenderloin-now-its-on-the-market-for-15m/">Phoenix Hotel</a> and Best Western. The suit further accuses the city of violating constitutional rights, disability access laws, public nuisance laws and other statutes.

&#8220;For years, the de facto policy of the city has been to corral and confine illegal <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/01/san-francisco-money-laundering-tenderloin-drug-dealer/">drug dealing</a> and usage, and the associated injurious behaviors, to the Tenderloin,&#8221; the complaint states. &#8220;The city tries to keep such crimes and nuisances out of other San Francisco neighborhoods by &#8216;containing&#8217; them in the Tenderloin.&#8221; &nbsp;

San Francisco teller accused of laundering money for Tenderloin drug dealer

"For years, the de facto policy of the city has been to corral and confine illegal <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/01/san-francisco-money-laundering-tenderloin-drug-dealer/">drug dealing</a> and usage, and the associated injurious behaviors, to the Tenderloin," the complaint states. "The city tries to keep such crimes and nuisances out of other San Francisco neighborhoods by 'containing' them in the Tenderloin." &nbsp;

&#8220;For years, the de facto policy of the city has been to corral and confine illegal <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/11/01/san-francisco-money-laundering-tenderloin-drug-dealer/">drug dealing</a> and usage, and the associated injurious behaviors, to the Tenderloin,&#8221; the complaint states. &#8220;The city tries to keep such crimes and nuisances out of other San Francisco neighborhoods by &#8216;containing&#8217; them in the Tenderloin.&#8221; &nbsp;

The lawsuit includes photos depicting sidewalks blocked by tents, crowds of people appearing to buy and use drugs, discarded needles, human waste and other hazards. It also cites online reviews from hotel guests disturbed by the neighborhood conditions surrounding the lodging properties.

The lawsuit includes photos depicting sidewalks blocked by tents, crowds of people appearing to buy and use drugs, discarded needles, human waste and other hazards. It also cites online reviews from hotel guests disturbed by the neighborhood conditions surrounding the lodging properties.

In a statement Thursday, spokesperson Jen Kwart said the City Attorney&#8217;s Office would review the complaint and respond in court.

In a statement Thursday, spokesperson Jen Kwart said the City Attorney's Office would review the complaint and respond in court.

In a statement Thursday, spokesperson Jen Kwart said the City Attorney&#8217;s Office would review the complaint and respond in court.

“While we understand and share the frustration of Tenderloin businesses and residents, the city is making progress in reducing crime, disrupting open-air drug markets, and addressing homelessness, all while complying with the preliminary injunction issued in the Coalition on Homelessness case,&#8221; Kwart said.

“While we understand and share the frustration of Tenderloin businesses and residents, the city is making progress in reducing crime, disrupting open-air drug markets, and addressing homelessness, all while complying with the preliminary injunction issued in the Coalition on Homelessness case," Kwart said.

“While we understand and share the frustration of Tenderloin businesses and residents, the city is making progress in reducing crime, disrupting open-air drug markets, and addressing homelessness, all while complying with the preliminary injunction issued in the Coalition on Homelessness case,&#8221; Kwart said.

Kwart also called the latest lawsuit&#8217;s timing &#8220;odd,&#8221; given the U.S. Supreme Court&#8217;s impending decision in the Grants Pass case &#8220;potentially altering the legal landscape in homelessness cases.&#8221;

Kwart also called the latest lawsuit's timing "odd," given the U.S. Supreme Court's impending decision in the Grants Pass case "potentially altering the legal landscape in homelessness cases."

Kwart also called the latest lawsuit&#8217;s timing &#8220;odd,&#8221; given the U.S. Supreme Court&#8217;s impending decision in the Grants Pass case &#8220;potentially altering the legal landscape in homelessness cases.&#8221;

&#8220;It is clear that increased litigation over homelessness is not improving conditions on our streets,&#8221; Kwart said. &#8220;The courts are not equipped to police every interaction between outreach workers and unhoused individuals. The courts are similarly not equipped to step into the shoes of elected policymakers and voters in order to craft broad strategies to address homelessness.”

"It is clear that increased litigation over homelessness is not improving conditions on our streets," Kwart said. "The courts are not equipped to police every interaction between outreach workers and unhoused individuals. The courts are similarly not equipped to step into the shoes of elected policymakers and voters in order to craft broad strategies to address homelessness.”

&#8220;It is clear that increased litigation over homelessness is not improving conditions on our streets,&#8221; Kwart said. &#8220;The courts are not equipped to police every interaction between outreach workers and unhoused individuals. The courts are similarly not equipped to step into the shoes of elected policymakers and voters in order to craft broad strategies to address homelessness.”

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UC Law SF will also file a court motion Thursday in an ongoing U.S.&nbsp;District Court lawsuit seeking compliance with a 2020 court order requiring the city to remove all Tenderloin <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/01/san-francisco-homeless-encampments-decline-court-ruling/">homeless encampments</a> and tents.

Are San Francisco homeless encampments decreasing?

UC Law SF will also file a court motion Thursday in an ongoing U.S.&nbsp;District Court lawsuit seeking compliance with a 2020 court order requiring the city to remove all Tenderloin <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2024/03/01/san-francisco-homeless-encampments-decline-court-ruling/">homeless encampments</a> and tents.

The city has claimed it is prevented from enforcing that order by a separate 2022 injunction from Judge Donna Ryu, barring enforcement of certain anti-camping laws when there are more homeless people than available shelter beds.

The city has claimed it is prevented from enforcing that order by a separate 2022 injunction from Judge Donna Ryu, barring enforcement of certain anti-camping laws when there are more homeless people than available shelter beds.

However, the plaintiffs argue that the injunction only applies to those who are involuntarily homeless, not those who have refused offers of the city&#8217;s approximately 300 open shelter spaces. They also note an appeals court has since limited the 2022 injunction&#8217;s scope.

However, the plaintiffs argue that the injunction only applies to those who are involuntarily homeless, not those who have refused offers of the city's approximately 300 open shelter spaces. They also note an appeals court has since limited the 2022 injunction's scope.

However, the plaintiffs argue that the injunction only applies to those who are involuntarily homeless, not those who have refused offers of the city&#8217;s approximately 300 open shelter spaces. They also note an appeals court has since limited the 2022 injunction&#8217;s scope.

The enforcement order asks the court to require the city to resume full compliance with the 2020 injunction by discouraging tents, preventing re-encampment and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/25/san-francisco-to-resume-enforcing-laws-against-homeless-people-who-refuse-shelter-mayor/">&#8220;employing enforcement measures&#8221;</a> against those who refuse shelter.

San Francisco to resume enforcing laws against homeless people who refuse shelter

The enforcement order asks the court to require the city to resume full compliance with the 2020 injunction by discouraging tents, preventing re-encampment and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/25/san-francisco-to-resume-enforcing-laws-against-homeless-people-who-refuse-shelter-mayor/">"employing enforcement measures"</a> against those who refuse shelter.

The enforcement order asks the court to require the city to resume full compliance with the 2020 injunction by discouraging tents, preventing re-encampment and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/25/san-francisco-to-resume-enforcing-laws-against-homeless-people-who-refuse-shelter-mayor/">&#8220;employing enforcement measures&#8221;</a> against those who refuse shelter.

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Search Results for: drugs

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