2 arrested, 2 pounds of meth seized in Flag City

Two men are in federal custody after allegedly found with more than two pounds of crystal methamphetamine Tuesday in Flag City.

Otoniel Moreno, 27, and Juan Navarro, 38, were arrested after an undercover operation by federal and San Joaquin County narcotics, Sheriff's officials said.

Drug value varies depending on the quantity sold and availability, but the U.S. Department of Justice in 2006 estimated that methamphetamine is valued at roughly $100 per gram if sold in small amounts. Under that calculation, the amount of drugs seized Tuesday could be valued at more than $90,000.

Details of the "buy/bust" operation were not available Tuesday night. The men were near Highway 12 and Interstate 5 when they were arrested by agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the San Joauqin County Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Both men, whose cities of residence were not immediately available, were booked into the Sacramento County main jail Tuesday evening. They are being held without bail on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine for distribution.

Moreno and Navarro are expected to appear in federal court later this week.

Under federal sentencing rules, a conviction for possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell can carry a 10-year prison sentence, though sentences vary depending on other factors involved in the cases.

Reader Feedback

What happened to Innocent before proven Guilty?t happenedn to Innocent before proven guilty? wrote on Oct 25, 2007 7:33 PM:

" It's amazing that people immediately jump to conclusions. For example; if they have a Latino surname they must be "illegal"! What if it's a 4th or 5th generation American like all others that have an Anglo last name but are none the less immigrants? On the other hand these men have not been yet tried; therefore, we DO NOT know if they are guilty. And if they are in fact guilty; think about the many Americans selling meth. They choose not to work in the fields or do manual labor also. Just some food for thought! "

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Facts wrote on Oct 19, 2007 12:04 PM:

" Over 90% of the drugs come to the U.S. from Mexico, and that is a fact. Get used to it. La Raza is pumping the drugs like a service station. Americans are proud because they are part of a nation that has been responsible and Free. Now, that we have taken in more 3rd worlders, many who do not feel they have to be responsible, just paid for, responsiblity and law abiding are no longer a concern. The idea of the "citizen" becomes meaningless as more foreigners continue to act like foreigners. "

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To all the good mexican people wrote on Oct 19, 2007 8:53 AM:

" To all the good mexican people who just break some of our laws, YOU NEED TO STAND UP TO YOUR KIND!!! NOT RUN TO THEIR DEFENSE EVERYTIME SOMEONE MAKES A COMMENT YOU DON'T LIKE! ITS EASY TO SEE WHERE YOU STAND WHEN ALL YOU DO IS DEFEND YOUR RACE. WE DON'T LIKE DOPE DEALERS! "

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Latina & Proud of It wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:57 PM:

" Its NOT just Mexicans that are selling drugs, doing crimes and stuff. Theres EVERY nationality doing the same stuff so stop picking on the HISPANICS in general. "

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To a better life wrote on Oct 17, 2007 5:36 PM:

" America, the land of the free, until you get caught! "

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MY DIET POWDER wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:27 AM:

" darn it, there goes my diet powder. now i guess i will have to exercise instead. "

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build a wall now!! wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:16 AM:

" and they say all these mexicans want is a job here in the states, a better life. odalay! "

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Give These two felons a break! wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:14 AM:

" They only Came to America to make a better living and to have better opportunities then they have in Mexico. Their only mistake was choosing NOT to work in the fields and break their backs! "

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ben dover wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:35 AM:

" will be interesting to find out if these two upstanding individuals are indeed mexican nationals, illegally here of course? "

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