An ongoing narcotics investigation in Stanislaus County resulted in the arrest of five people and the seizure of drugs, cash, and guns Wednesday morning.
More than 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities served out eight search warrants simultaneously at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Turlock, Modesto and Ceres.
The warrants were part of a methamphetamine investigation by the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force, said Steve Dupre, a spokesman with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, which also participated in the operation.
A house on North Tully Road in Turlock was the site of one of the raids. Homes in Modesto, Ceres and an automotive business in Modesto were also targeted by the task force. Earlier in the month the task force served search warrants at four Turlock homes and a First Street bar in connection with the same investigation. Five people were also arrested in that operation.
The search warrants turned up 17 pounds of methamphetamine, one pound of marijuana, a small amount of cocaine. The gross value of the seized narcotics was greater than $272,000 before street level sales, according to the Stanislaus Country Sheriff’s Department. They also seized $14,000 in cash and 23 vehicles as part of the investigation, Dupre said.
Authorities recovered eight firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle with a 30-round magazine, and a 50-round drum magazine and other weapons that had been reported stolen.
On Sunday, a search warrant related to the same investigation was served by investigators on a vehicle related to one of the target subjects. Just over $29,000 in cash was seized on that day, according to the sheriff’s department.
The five people arrested Wednesday were charged with various drug and weapon offenses. Their names were not released because of the ongoing investigation. The defendants have been charged by the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors of the Eastern District of California
are reviewing the investigation for possible federal charges.
One subject is still outstanding.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
More than 150 federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities served out eight search warrants simultaneously at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Turlock, Modesto and Ceres.
The warrants were part of a methamphetamine investigation by the Central Valley Gang Impact Task Force, said Steve Dupre, a spokesman with the Federal Bureau of Investigations, which also participated in the operation.
A house on North Tully Road in Turlock was the site of one of the raids. Homes in Modesto, Ceres and an automotive business in Modesto were also targeted by the task force. Earlier in the month the task force served search warrants at four Turlock homes and a First Street bar in connection with the same investigation. Five people were also arrested in that operation.
The search warrants turned up 17 pounds of methamphetamine, one pound of marijuana, a small amount of cocaine. The gross value of the seized narcotics was greater than $272,000 before street level sales, according to the Stanislaus Country Sheriff’s Department. They also seized $14,000 in cash and 23 vehicles as part of the investigation, Dupre said.
Authorities recovered eight firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle with a 30-round magazine, and a 50-round drum magazine and other weapons that had been reported stolen.
On Sunday, a search warrant related to the same investigation was served by investigators on a vehicle related to one of the target subjects. Just over $29,000 in cash was seized on that day, according to the sheriff’s department.
The five people arrested Wednesday were charged with various drug and weapon offenses. Their names were not released because of the ongoing investigation. The defendants have been charged by the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors of the Eastern District of California
are reviewing the investigation for possible federal charges.
One subject is still outstanding.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.
