The Montana Standard
MONTANA -- A raid of two homes in Butte and Boulder last week turned up nearly $50,000 worth of methamphetamine and resulted in five arrests, authorities said.
The arrests were part of a two-month investigation by several law enforcement agencies investigating the alleged smuggling of meth from California to Montana.
On Thursday, members of the Southwest Montana Drug Task Force and police raided a home at 27 W. LaPlatta St. in Butte, and a home in Boulder.
Investigators say they discovered about a pound of meth in a vehicle near the home in Boulder, which they say belonged to the residents from the Butte home.
Ruben Martinez, 46, and Jose Angel Morales-Pena, 28, were allegedly delivering the meth to an undercover agent with the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation when they were arrested. Investigators allege they brought the meth from California.
Martinez, Morales-Pena and Ignacio Magana-Garcia, 38, all face a felony charge of possession with intent to distribute meth. Martinez also is charged with transporting/harboring illegal aliens in connection with harboring an illegal alien at the Butte residence.
Posted by tyne at July 18, 2007