4 arrested in 2 separate searches

Two separate narcotics search warrants served today resulted in the arrest of four people at two Porterville locations.

Police officials report the warrants were served within seven hours of each other.

At about 2 p.m., the Porterville Police DepartmentÂ’s Special Investigations Unit and the Neighborhood Crime Suppressions Unit served the first narcotics search warrant at a residence in the sub-100 block of North Salisbury Street.

Mendi Elmore, 25, of Porterville, was identified as a suspect and was detained during the search, police report.

During the service of the search warrant, detectives allegedly found suspected crystal methamphetamine packaged for sales with a street value of about $250.

Detectives also allegedly found a scale, packaging material and other evidence tending to show the sales of illegal drugs, according to a Police Department news release.

Elmore was booked at the Tulare County SheriffÂ’s Department Bob Wiley Detention Facility of suspicion of possession for sales of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics paraphernalia.

She was being held on $25,000 bail, police report.

TodayÂ’s first narcotics search warrant was served at about 7 a.m. in the 100 block of East Orange Avenue.

The warrant was served in connection with the alleged sales of prescription medication, police report.

During the search of the East Orange Avenue residence, detectives allegedly found more than 20 prescription pills packaged for sales.

The pills ranged from suspected muscle relaxers to anti-depressants, which had a street value of approximately $400.

Also allegedly found during the search were digital scales, narcotics packaging material and other evidence tending to show the sales of illegal drugs, police report.

The suspects — Albert Sandoval, 62, Jimmy Sierra, 56, and Lydia Gonzalez, 32, all of Porterville — were also reportedly identified as gang members by evidence located at the residence, the news release indicated.

Sandoval, Sierra and Gonzalez were arrested and booked on suspicion of sales of controlled substances, being in possession of hypodermic syringes, narcotic paraphernalia and being members of a criminal street gang.

Gonzalez was also allegedly found to be under the influence of a controlled substance.

The three suspects were booked at the Tulare County Jail and were being held in lieu of $20,000 bail each, police report.

-- Contact Kara D. Machado at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or karam@portervillerecorder.com.