RIVERSIDE: Couple using flying drone to deliver meth, LSD, other drugs arrested, face multiple charges

RIVERSIDE — Officials conducting a narcotics investigation arrested an Orangecrest couple they allege were involved in the sales of methamphetamine, LSD and other illegal and prescription narcotics, Thursday, December 21.

According to Riverside police officials, the couple had been using a flying drone to conduct drug transactions out of their home on the 8700 block of Chesapeake Lane, north of Van Buren Boulevard and east of Orange Terrace Parkway, in Riverside.

Officers arrested 39-year-old, Benjamin Baldassarre and 31-year-old, Ashley Carroll for allegedly using a flying drone to deliver illegal narcotics to customers, who waited in a nearby parking lot for their drug deliveries.

The investigation, which began earlier this month after officers developed information that the couple was using a drone to deliver drugs to clients, resulted in the arrest of Benjamin Paul Baldassarre, 39, and Ashley Lauren Carroll, 31. Both were later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of possession of controlled substances, possession of controlled substances for sale, criminal conspiracy and willful child endangerment.

During their investigation, members of the department’s Narcotics Unit conducted undercover surveillance in the Orangecrest neighborhood where the couple live. While watching the couple’s home, officers spotted a drone carrying a small package leave the rear yard of couple’s residence.

While narcotics officers continued watching, the drone flew to a nearby parking lot where officers saw it deliver the package to waiting customers, who took possession of the delivery. Officers later confirmed the delivered package contained illegal narcotics.

Based on their investigation and observations, at about 8 a.m., narcotics officers served a search warrant at the residence where the drone activity was observed. They were assisted by officers assigned to the department’s North Neighborhood Policing Center as well as bomb squad officers from Riverside PD’s Technical Services Unit.

After entering the residence, officials found numerous used and uncapped hypodermic syringes scattered throughout a bedroom along with un-packaged powders believed to contain fentanyl; a synthetic form of heroin used as a powerful, Opioid pain killer. Officers also located methamphetamine and candies they suspected were laced with LSD, as well as the drone used for the delivery of the illegal narcotics.

Because of the drugs, uncapped needles and other dangers found scattered throughout the residence, detectives determined the home posed a high risk for the investigating officers and occupants of the home, and officials requested Riverside Fire personnel respond to the location and remain at the home during the investigation and search, to ensure the safety of officers and other officials at the scene.

During their investigation, detectives learned a 9-year-old girl was also living at the residence and they located a “vape pen” containing marijuana inside the young girl’s bedroom.

Social workers from the County of Riverside’s Child Protective Services responded to assist in the investigation and the girl was taken into protective custody and later released to her birth mother.

An online jail records search revealed both Baldassarre and Carroll remain in custody, and both are being held on $50,000 bail. Both are scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall Of Justice, Dec. 26.

Anyone with further information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Riverside PD at (951) 354-2007. Callers can refer to incident file number P17-228273 and can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.