Wesley

The People appeal from order setting aside an information (§ 995, Pen. Code) charging defendant (respondent) with one count of possession of cocaine (§ 11350, subd. (a), Health & Saf. Code) and alleging an enhancement for a prior drug conviction (§ 11370, subds. (a),(c)), Health & Saf. Code).

Facts

The following facts were adduced at the preliminary hearing. Since July 1988, Officer Qualls, Pasadena Police, had been working a “reverse sting” operation put together by the Neighborhood Crime Task Force, as an undercover narcotic seller. The operation involved about 10 officers. He had done this type of work approximately 10 times before.

Officer Qualls had training in and experience with narcotics, specifically, cocaine. In 1983 he received 40 hours’ training regarding cocaine at the police academy; for 2 years he worked the streets as a patrolman where he made numerous cocaine arrests of sellers and users, and spoke with numerous informants. He then went to the vice narcotics section as a vice officer and made search warrants for cocaine violators, purchased cocaine undercover and spoke with numerous user and seller violators. He was trained by senior officers in the…