Three men suspected of participating in a methamphetamine drug ring are behind bars after a five-month investigation by the San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force culminated in Redwood City Thursday.
On Thursday evening, police arrested Menlo Park resident Adolfo Moreno, 30, during an undercover sting operation in Redwood City where he provided agents with three ounces of meth worth $8,500. Police also arrested Menlo Park resident Silvesteri Lopez, 31, and Sunnyvale resident Joaquin Ortega, 28, for supplying Moreno with the drugs.
As a result of the raids made during arrests, police seized nearly $73,000 worth of cocaine, meth and cash. When police searched Ortega's house last month, they found 13 ounces of cocaine with a street value of $36,400 and eight ounces of meth worth $22,800. They also found instruments used to make meth and about $13,000 in cash, said Cmdr. Mark Wyss of the Narcotics Task Force.
Ortega pled guilty during an arraignment on Dec. 20 and both Lopez and Moreno will be arraigned in the next few days, Wyss said.
Investigators are certain they arrested all the people involved in the "small- to mid-level organization," Wyss said.
Arrests like this happen on a weekly basis in San Mateo County and meth is something officers are having to deal with on an increasing frequency, Wyss said.
Official statistic regarding the sale of meth and arrests related to it have been stagnant for the last three years, but street cops are telling Wyss the availability of the drug is on the rise.
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