(Aug 12 2008) - Porterville Police Dept - Press Release
by Sgt. Larry M. Rodriguiz - Porterville Police Dept :
On August 12, 2008, at approximately 11:00 AM, detectives with the Porterville Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and Tulare County Probation Department served a search warrant in the 1000 block of North Howland Street. No suspects were located at the time of the warrant service.
Detectives conducted a search of the residence and located several marijuana plants being cultivated in the backyard of the residence which had an estimated street value of approximately $2,000.
Detectives also located 20 grams of suspected cocaine, approximately 24 grams of suspected methamphetamine that both had an estimated street value of $2,500. Investigators also located several digital gram scales, narcotic paraphernalia, approximately $4000 dollars in U.S. Currency and evidence tending to prove a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.
Detectives conducted a surveillance operation in the 1000 block of North Howland Street in an attempt to locate the suspect. Detectives located and arrested suspect Maruo Tapia, age 28 years, for possession for sales of suspected cocaine, possession methamphetamine for sales, maintaining a place where narcotics are being sold, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
Tapia was booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Porterville Substation and is being held in lieu of a $50,000.
For more info regarding this case contact Investigating Detective(s) Ron Moore and Sgt. Jake Castellow at 782-7400.
