San Bernardino police make $3M drug bust following standoff

A search of Cardona’s residence uncovered 76 pounds of black tar heroin that had been packaged for sale, said Lt. Gwendolyn Waters

SAN BERNARDINO – Police officers found a large drug supply worth about $3 million at the home of a man suspected of firing a gun in the neighborhood Monday night.

Frank Javier Cardona, 33, was taken into custody at his Westside home on the 1200 block of King Street following a 45-minute standoff with police.

A subsequent search of Cardona’s residence uncovered 76 pounds of black tar heroin that had been packaged for sale, said Lt. Gwendolyn Waters. Narcotics investigators estimated the street value at $3 million.

In a later press release, officials said the drug seizure was a record haul for the department.

But originally, police responded to a report of gunshots being fired in the neighborhood.

“I don’t know exactly where the suspect was pointing the gun, but as far as we know he wasn’t shooting at anyone,” Waters said. “He was apparently firing either at the ground or into the air, but I don’t know which.”

Cardona wasn’t charged with being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Waters added.

She said police also discovered several ounces of methamphetamine and the handgun Cardona is suspected of firing at his residence.

Cardona was arrested less than an hour after gang and SWAT officers arrived. He had barricaded himself in the house with a woman for a time, but police talked him and Dulce Judith Valdez-Quintero into coming out.

Valdez-Quintero, 30, of Tijuana was questioned and released Monday, but police arrested her Tuesday on drug charges, Waters said.

Both suspects are being held at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and face charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, and possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, police said.

Cardona had previously been charged with willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence. Jail records showed Cardona’s bail set at $2 million, while Valdez-Quinteros was set at $50,000.