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.