MAJOR DRUG BUST YIELDS FOUR ARRESTS

ARROYO GRANDE - A major drug bust Thursday yielded four arrests and at
least one citizen complaint.

Sheriff's detectives seized 119 marijuana plants, 609 opium plants and
cultivation equipment from a residence in the 1000 block of Maple Street,
the county Sheriff's Department said.

This is one of the largest opium seizures in the county in recent years,
said Sgt. Sean Donahue.

Due to the fact local officers rarely handle opium cases, an estimated
value on the plants was not available.

However, he said the marijuana plants had an estimated street value of more
than $200,000.

The following individuals were arrested on suspicion of cultivation and
possession for sale of marijuana and opium, according to the Sheriff's Office:

- - Thomas Bradford Dunbar, 47, and Jo D. Harrison Furino, 34.

They were apprehended at a residence on Maple Street.

- - John Edward McLean, 48, and Violet Angelina McLean, 47.

They were apprehended at a residence in the 500 block of Mar Vista Street
in Los Osos.

All four suspects were later booked into County Jail on $50,000 bail each.

Near the scene, neighbor Arno Lescari of Arroyo Grande objected that law
enforcement agencies used "overkill" and "scary" tactics in conducting the
drug bust.

He described seeing more than one dozen police cars, included unmarked
ones, a fire truck and at least one or more motorcycle officers during the
operation.

Noting one suspect may be seriously ill, he said officers presented a
"cavalier" attitude in arresting him.

He questioned the agencies using taxpayers money to capture his neighbor,
whom he called a "wonderful" person.

"No one needs this type of harassment from police," he said. It was
"horrible" witnessing the officers and drug agents with drawn guns in his
neighborhood. "It seems like we're living in a police state."

"I was planning on selling my house next week," he said on a a despairing
note. Indicating his sympathy rests with his neighbor, he asked, "does the
police really have to do this?"

Yes, according to Donahure. The number of law enforcement personnel at the
scene was necessary to ensure safety for the public, the suspects and the
police.

Before a drug operation occurs, the number of people to be utilized is
planned, he said. Each person is assigned a different duty, including
gathering evidence and taking suspects into custody.

Preparation is also done for "unknown" elements such as a possible riot or
armed suspect, he said. "We have necessary personnel to carry out a search
warrant in a safe and timely manner."

Donahue explained even the time of a drug bust is scheduled to prevent harm
to children or other citizens.

This operation occurred in the late morning hours to allow school-age
children to not be present. He did not specify the time it happended.

As for the fire truck on scene, he said it is standard procedure to have
one - along with an ambulance - during these incidents.

When asked about a possibly seriously ill suspect, he said, "I have
received no information that any of the individuals had a life-threatening
illness."

Police Chief Rick TerBorch said his department was notified about the
planned operation in the last few days, but did not even know the location
until Thursday morning.

The Sheriff's Office previously requested the department send one uniformed
city officer to assist in executing the search warrant, he said.

He noted one more officer drove by the scene to observe the situation.

Department personnel later took two suspects into custody for about 90
minutes before Sheriff's detectives booked them into County Jail.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski