Drug raid nets family meth makers
NEW LONDON — Two men and a woman operating a crystal methamphetamine lab out of a home in rural New London were arrested Wednesday by a regional drug enforcement task force, a Tulare County Sheriff’s spokesperson said.
Acting on a search warrant, officials from the Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug Traffic Area Task Force entered the home on the 37700 block of Road 57 where they arrested Fernando Ruiz Sr., 43, Fernando Ruiz Jr., 22, and Teresa Ruiz, 42. The task force raid included members of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department, said sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Douglass.
After the search, detectives found about half of an ounce of crystal methamphetamine packaged for sale, as well as scales, more than two ounces of processed marijuana, firearms, ammunition, brass knuckles and associated narcotic paraphernalia, she said.
Fernando Ruiz Sr. was taken to the Tulare County Main Jail and booked for possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance, possession of more than two ounces of processed marijuana, conspiracy to sell narcotics and possession of a weapon.
Fernando Ruiz Jr. was also taken to the main jail and booked for possession of more than two ounces of processed marijuana.
Teresa Ruiz was taken to the Bob Wiley Detention Facility and booked for possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a controlled substance, maintaining a residence for the sales of narcotics, possession of more than two ounces of marijuana and conspiracy to sell narcotics.
Douglass declined to say if the suspects were family members. New London is an unincorporated town surrounded by fruit trees in northwestern Tulare County.
