Four Calif. men arrested on cocaine trafficking charges

A month-long investigation into a cocaine trafficking ring resulted Friday in the four felony arrests and the seizure of more than half a pound of cocaine in Stateline, according to a police statement.

The Tri-NET Narcotic Task Force, working with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Santa Cruz, Calif., police department, arrested four people from Santa Cruz on felony charges. During the arrests, more than 250 grams of cocaine - a street value of about $25,500 - were seized, along with a vehicle, firearm, money and a small amount of marijuana.

The arrested men and their charges are:

• Joseph Perez, 26, charged with trafficking a controlled substance, sales of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substances act;

• Oscar Madriz, 25, charged with trafficking a controlled substance, sales of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substances act, and being and ex-felon in possession of a firearm;

• Tyler Silveira, 28, and Joaquin Lara, 27, both charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

All four suspects were booked into the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Lake Jail, according to the release. The trafficking charge alone carries a sentence of 25 years to life, with the possibility of parole after 10 years.