Ed. note: The McDonald’s referenced appears to be the McDonald’s on the north end of town, if you are interested.

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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On August 19, 2026, at approximately 2:40 p.m., an Officer with the Eureka Police Department arrested a 42-year-old Eureka resident, Mark Coppola, following an investigation into the suspected sale of controlled substances from a vehicle parked at a local McDonald’s.

The Officer was conducting proactive patrol when he observed a subject seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle under circumstances that indicated the subject may have been engaged in the sale of controlled substances from the vehicle.

The Officer conducted a vehicle investigation and observed drug paraphernalia in plain view. The driver was removed from the vehicle and detained while officers continued their investigation. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, officers located a large quantity of suspected fentanyl packaged for sale in approximately 25 to 30 individually packaged baggies. Officers also located a functioning digital scale, pay-and-owe records, and additional drug paraphernalia consistent with the suspected possession and distribution of controlled substances.

The suspect was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges including Possession for Sale H&S 11351 & Sale, Transportation or Distribution H&S 11352. A total of 26.33 grams of fentanyl was seized.

The Eureka Police Department continues to prioritize proactive enforcement to include efforts targeting the distribution of fentanyl and other dangerous controlled substances in the community.