LOS ANGELES (Thechieftainspear) – – A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy is facing serious charges after allegedly smuggling heroin into a jail facility, using coded messages and snack containers to conceal the drugs.
Deputy Michael Meiser, 39, was arrested on April 30, 2024, after investigators discovered more than a pound of black tar heroin hidden inside two cans of Pringles. Authorities believe Meiser worked with high-ranking gang members, often referred to as “shot-callers,” to coordinate drug deliveries inside North County Correctional Facility in Castaic, the nation’s largest jail.
Meiser was part of a specialized unit tasked with monitoring gang activity. However, an ongoing investigation led by the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office uncovered an alleged smuggling operation involving 18 individuals, including Meiser. Half of the suspects were already incarcerated, while the others, including Meiser, were operating outside of jail. Prosecutors allege the operation had ties to the Mexican Mafia, an infamous prison-based gang that controls drug distribution and extortion schemes inside correctional facilities.
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According to intercepted phone calls from early 2023, inmates Jose Rodriguez, 47, and Jackie Triplett, 40, used coded phrases such as “white Jordans” and “black Jordans” to refer to methamphetamine and heroin. Surveillance footage later showed Meiser handing off a bag and a bedroll to Triplett inside the jail, raising suspicions.
Further investigation revealed that, in April 2024, Rodriguez arranged for a $6,000 payment to be sent to Meiser’s brother-in-law via Cash App. Detectives then secured a warrant to track Meiser’s white 2018 BMW. On the morning of his arrest, investigators followed him from his home in Lancaster to a gas station in Valencia, where he was seen accepting a grocery bag from a person in a red SUV. The bag reportedly contained 1.128 pounds of heroin, wrapped in plastic and concealed in Pringles cans—an amount valued at over $225,000 inside the jail.
Shortly after, deputies stopped Meiser and another officer, Deputy Jose Munguia, as they were leaving jail property. Upon searching Meiser’s bag, authorities recovered $15,000 in cash. An additional $10,500 was later found inside his home. Munguia has not been charged in the case.
Meiser has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and drug distribution charges. His attorney has not issued a statement.
A court hearing is scheduled for March 27 in downtown Los Angeles .
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