SIX ARRESTED IN SOUTH VALLEY METH INVESTIGATION

Narcotics investigators seized about 9 pounds of methamphetamine from
alleged dealers in Selma and Dinuba Monday, concluding a monthlong
investigation, authorities said.

Undercover agents arrested six suspects on suspicion of criminal conspiracy
and possession of methamphetamine for sale after one of them tried to sell
the drug to officials in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart in Selma.

The seized methamphetamine has a street value of more than $500,000,
authorities said.

"There was definitely an organization out there that was moving some
methamphetamine," said Warren Sorensen, acting special agent supervisor for
the Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.

The drug bust comes on the heels of an 18-month investigation that ended
May 31 with the arrest of 23 people on suspicion of conspiracy to
manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. During the raid, authorities
arrested Xavier Medrano, Javier Medrano and Ernesto Medrano of Delano --
family members who allegedly led an organization that manufactured and sold
methamphetamine -- and seized about 16 pounds of the drug, equipment used
to make it and 35 guns.

"It's a big problem," Lt. Richard Matthews of the Tulare County narcotics
unit said of drug use in the Central Valley. "We have a lot of rural areas
and counties involved. That's part of the reason it narcotic use is growing."

On Monday, Ricardo Vasquez Lopez gave a package containing 2 pounds of
methamphetamine to Juan Valencia of Selma, Sorensen said. Valencia gave the
package to Gabriel Huerta of Reedley, who tried to sell it to undercover
officers.

Shortly thereafter, agents arrested Vasquez Lopez, Valencia, Huerta and
Mario Hernandez of Selma.

Investigators went to Vasquez Lopez's home in Dinuba and confiscated 6.5
pounds of methamphetamine and three scales, authorities said. At that time,
officials arrested Vasquez Lopez's wife, Lorena Bojorquez Lopez, and Child
Protective Services took custody of the couple's two children.

Officials later arrested Armando Garza of Fresno on suspicion of being
involved with the methamphetamine transaction, Sorensen said. They went to
Huerta's home and found 91 more grams of the drug, Sorensen said.