Carson City drug raid nets 18 grams of meth

Four people were arrested Sunday in an early-morning drug raid at a Long Street house. Eighteen grams of methamphetamine were recovered and a 6-year-old boy was removed from the home.

Members of the Special Enforcement Team of the Carson City Sheriff's Office had 413 E. Long St. under surveillance for about a week. On Sunday night at 10 p.m., they stopped a vehicle driven by Marco Mendez leaving the address.

During the stop, nine grams of methamphetamine and a handgun were recovered.

Mendez, 33, was booked on suspicion of felony trafficking methamphetamine, felon in possession of firearm, two probation violations, contempt of court and driving on a suspended or revoked drivers license. Bail was set at $25,000.

According to the arrest report, based on the traffic stop police obtained a search warrant for the home in which Mendez was staying.

At about 5 a.m. SWAT officers entered and found five adults, and a child inside.

They also allegedly recovered several pipes commonly used to smoke methamphetamine and a surveillance camera atop the roof.

Renter Pablo Carrillo, 34, said he rented out rooms to different people, and was unaware anyone had methamphetamine, according to the report.

Carrillo remained in custody Monday on suspicion of felony maintaining a drug house with a $20,000 bail. Carrillo's girlfriend, who was seven months pregnant, was allowed to leave.

Also arrested was Corina Distefano, 19, on suspicion of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia for a methamphetamine pipe in her purse; Gabriel Gutierrez, 34, on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and Mayra Asusena Hoya, 22, on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia for a pipe in her purse. The purse was nearby where she and her 6-year-old son were asleep on the couch, according to the report.

The child was released to relatives.

"After the search, numerous neighbors were contacted and told deputies (that) ... in the past two months there has been very high vehicle traffic at 413 E. Long where people made short visits to the yard and made (drug) transactions with subjects in the house and garage," the report states.

Immigrations holds have been requested for Carrillo, Hoya and Gutierrez.