California Authorities Recover $30K Meth Cache After Suspect Leaves Bag in Rideshare

Officials have reported that a California man’s alleged drug smuggling attempt was thwarted when he mistakenly left a backpack containing a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine in a rideshare car.

According to the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), authorities confiscated approximately three-quarters of a pound of what they believe to be meth after a rideshare driver notified them on Sunday afternoon.

The street value of the drugs is estimated to exceed $30,000. This figure comes from Recovered, a treatment directory that notes typical prices can reach up to $100 per gram.

“A suspect’s rideshare journey took an unexpected detour when a bag containing over 300 grams of methamphetamine was left behind,” the SFPD stated.

The incident unfolded near the Tenderloin neighborhood, one of San Francisco’s most notorious areas plagued by open-air drug activity, homelessness and violent crime.

Police identified the suspect as 41-year-old Sacramento resident Jessie Ottman-Combs.

Authorities said they quickly located Ottman-Combs after working with the rideshare driver to arrange for the backpack to be returned to its owner, ultimately leading officers to a motel where he was staying.

During a search of the motel room, officers reportedly recovered two cellphones, two tablets and drug paraphernalia.

Police seized all the items, along with the suspected methamphetamine found in the rideshare vehicle, as evidence.

Authorities recovered 355.7 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

Ottman-Combs was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and transportation or sale of methamphetamine.

The investigation remains active, police said.