Months long SWAT investigation leads to drug bust at Salinas homes

After a two month long investigation the Monterey County Sheriff’s SWAT team served search warrants and seized more than two pounds of drugs from homes in Salinas.

The SWAT operation took place on December 19 where detectives served a search warrant at two locations: the 200 block of Cherry Drive and the 800 block of Garden Way.

More than a pound of crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and a 1/4 pound of heroin, a variety of drug paraphernalia, ammunition and cash were found inside the home on Cherry Drive. Inside the home authorities said Guadalupe Castillo Sanchez gave deputies a false name.

At the home on Garden Way, detectives found 57-year-old Ramon Palomino with almost 1/2 ounce of crystal meth, and drug paraphernalia. Detectives discovered that Palomino had been using the home to sell “dangerous drugs.”

Both Sanchez and Palomino were arrested for maintaining a drug house and a variety of selling dangerous drug charges.