HMB drug bust considered moderate on countywide scale By MATT KAPKO Half Moon Bay Review November 10, 2004 It's been almost three weeks since a series of arrests that began in Half Moon Bay led to the seizure of more than three pounds of cocaine, three ounces of heroin and five ounces of methamphetamine. Authorities are now calling the drug bust moderate in comparison to other busts in the county, but arrests were big news in a community not accustomed to hard narcotics and the crime they bring. The cocaine seizure would account for almost 17 percent of the total cocaine seized in the county during the 2002-2003 fiscal year. Cocaine accounted for one-quarter of all drug seizures during that year - a total of 18.41 pounds. The heroin seized in the Half Moon Bay drug bust equaled an eighth of the total amount seized during the 2002-2003 fiscal year and the methamphetamine seized equals little more than 1 percent. "This compares as a moderate investigation and seizure," said Trisha Sanchez, a commander with the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force. The agency spearheaded the Oct. 21 drug bust after months of undercover drug purchases and surveillance. Six people were arrested in Half Moon Bay and a subsequent sting operation in Redwood City. Neighbors of the 904 Golden Gate Ave. residence say they had no reason to believe drug sales were happening on the quiet street and were mostly still surprised by the news. John Szabo, who's lived in the home next door for 25 years, said he's never seen the people who were arrested at the home. "That was a real shock when I heard about it," he said. "I thought I knew everyone who lived there." Szabo wasn't home when the bust happened and said he's never seen anything unusual that would cause suspicion. "They've always been good neighbors - no problem at all," he said. Some other neighbors, who wished not to give their names, actually got trapped in the street, unable to leave, when the bust happened. "It was a surprise to us," one of them said. There wasn't really a lot of traffic coming in and out of the home, they said. They believe that the people arrested were renting a room, as they've had typical neighborly relations with the other extended family that lives there. Two of the suspects arrested are being held on multi-million dollar bails. Trial dates have yet to be scheduled. Home