San Anselmo Teens Busted on Party Bus Loaded With Drugs, Alcohol: Police

Dozens of Marin teenagers were busted aboard a rented party bus that police say was stocked with cases of booze, marijuana and prescription drugs.

According to the Central Marin Police Authority, an anonymous tip pointed them in the direction of the bus, which was at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal around 5:40 p.m. Monday.

"Officers responded within a few minutes and saw a large black and silver bus leaving the ferry terminal parking lot and turning west on to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard," police said in a news release Tuesday. "As the bus made the turn, they could see the main passenger door was open and swinging freely. The bus was then stopped directly across from the parking lot."

When first contacted, the bus driver told police he was taking the youth to their parents, and that he was not aware of any alcohol or drugs aboard, the CMPA said. But when police boarded, they soon found much more.

A total of 33 teenagers ranging in age from 15 to 19 from the areas of Larkspur, Tiburon, San Rafael, San Anselmo, Kentfield, and Mill Valley were on the bus, police said. Amongst them, police found:

• 30 separate containers of hard alcohol
• A case of hard lemonade
• A jar of marijuana that was hidden under a seat

"Empty and partially consumed alcoholic beverages were found in trash cans, and a variety of prescription drugs were found combined in a purse," police said.

When they continued their search into the driver’s compartment, police say they found bags with suspected narcotics, drug paraphernalia, prescription drugs, and alcohol. The driver, identified as 63-year-old James Greene of San Francisco, was arrested and taken to the Marin County jail on a variety of charges including felony child cruelty/endangerment, possession of narcotics, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia, and possession of a switch blade.

The parents of all 33 youngsters were contacted by police and were forced to make arrangements to get their children home.

"The 16-year-old owner of the purse containing the mix of prescription drugs was cited for possession of a controlled substance and marijuana, as well as possession of false identification cards," police said, adding that she was then released to her parents' custody.

As for how the teens got on the bus in the first place? Police say it was booked online by a 16-year-old Tiburon boy who was a passenger on the vehicle.

"He said that he rented the bus online, did not have to produce any identification, and made a cash payment of $900.00," police said. "The rental contract was for 6 hours and to drive around San Francisco and Marin."

The Richmond-based bus rental company, Fantastic Voyage Express Transportation, was contacted to retrieve their vehicle.

(Image via Shutterstock)