Photo of Ruben DeSantiago-Gonzales.
Five men have been arrested so far in connection with alleged methamphetamine distribution following a Tri-Net narcotics raid early Tuesday morning.
Local officials breached an apartment at the Woodside Drive Stanton Arms Apartments around 5 a.m. Tuesday morning. The apartment was suspected to be a methamphetamine distribution residence after Tri-Net officials conducted a four-month investigation, buying nearly three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine from the men in the apartment.
At the same time, deputies conducted two other checks at separate residences in the apartment complex that was suspected of being involved with the distribution. Six men were detained from the two residences, and five were taken into custody.
Ruben DeSantiago-Gonzales, 35, was arrested on suspicion of six counts of felony trafficking of a controlled substance, five counts of felony sale of a controlled substance and five counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell with a bail of $200,000; Jesus Medina, 23 was arrested on possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and trafficking with a bail of $20,000; Siliberto Gonzales-Ramierez, 24, and Hermilio DeSantiago-Lopez, 54, were both charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, both with a bail of $5,000; and Dinente Hernandez-Rodriguez, 36, was charged with parole and probation violation with no bail set.
Inside the apartment, officers found trafficking level amounts of methamphetamine, which generally means several pounds, and more than $100,000 in cash. Tri-Net Sgt. Dan Johnson said the money was being sent back to Mexico and the department believes the men were involved in a larger drug trafficking organization.
“It disrupted the organization, we didn’t dismantle it but in our world you either dismantle or disrupt and we did just that,” Johnson said.
The operation was an effort of the Tri-Net narcotics team, Carson City Special Enforcement Team, Douglas County Special Enforcement Team, the Department of Public Safety and the National Guard Counter Drug Unit.
“We encourage anyone if they have a drug tip to contact us or the Sheriff’s Department,” Johnson said.