The Turlock Police Department was recently involved in two separate arrests that led to taking illegal drugs off the streets.

On May 22, just before midnight, Officer Nunez conducted a traffic stop near Lander and Linwood avenues for a speeding violation. The driver, 51-year-old Maximilano Sanchez Jr. of Turlock, was slow to yield and appeared visibly nervous. Officer Nunez observed a baggie of suspected narcotics in plain view, leading to a search of the vehicle.

Inside, officers located additional packaged controlled substances and an unregistered, loaded pistol. A records check revealed Sanchez was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.

The Turlock Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit responded to assist. With the help of K9 Herc, investigators authored and served a search warrant at Sanchez’s residence, where they located large quantities of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Sanchez was arrested and booked on multiple felony charges related to narcotics sales, transportation, and unlawful firearm possession.

Then, on May 29,  the Central Valley Gang Impact Taskforce investigator, along with members of the Turlock Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU) and detectives, assisted the Modesto Police Department and FBI in a significant investigation targeting fentanyl trafficking in Stanislaus County.

Multiple search warrants were executed throughout Modesto, leading to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of over 10 pounds of counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and 11 pounds of precursor chemicals used to manufacture them.

This multi-agency operation was the result of months of joint investigative work and highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the growing threat of fentanyl in our communities.