Police arrest Long Beach woman on drug charges

Long Beach police arrested a local dog walker and house cleaner on felony drug charges Thursday, after police said they discovered cocaine, illegal prescription pills and marijuana in the suspect's home that she allegedly intended to sell.

According to Police Commissioner Michael Tangney, detectives arrested Susan Garcia, who lives on Shore Road, and charged her with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of marijuana.

According to police, on May 23, at about 11:20 p.m., Long Beach detectives, led by Det. Lt. Stefan Chernaski, executed a search warrant at Garcia's apartment and recovered over half an ounce of cocaine, two scales and packaging materials commonly used for drug sales, in addition to drug records. Also recovered was more than eight ounces of marijuana that police said was "packaged in a manner consistent with sale," and an assortment of illegal controlled substance prescription pills. Additionally, $20,484 in cash was seized by police.

Police said that Garcia, a self employed dog walker and house cleaner, was placed under arrest at the scene without incident by Det. Michael Bulik of the Long Beach Narcotics Task Force.

Garcia was arraigned in Long Beach city Court on Friday and released on a $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in County Court on June 6.

"Under Commissioner Tangney's leadership, the entire Long Beach police force is doing an exceptional job keeping illicit drugs off the streets and out of the hands of our children," said City Council President Scott Mandel said in a statement.