Location: Woodlake

Incident Date: 8/18/14

Incident Time: 0900

Case Number: 14-70071

Posted by: Media Relations

After an approximate two (2) week investigation into the sales of illegal narcotics in the Woodlake area, Investigators from Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division, Woodlake Police Department, and the Inter Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET) consisting of personnel from Farmersville P.D. and Exeter P.D were led to the apartments in the 300 blk of N. Palm. The residence was approximately two blocks from the Woodlake High School.   The ensuing investigation and search revealed approximately sixteen (16) grams of methamphetamine package for sales, and marijuana with a street value of $2600.00, scales and packaging material. Also while Detectives were conducting the search warrant two females along with a three year child arrived at the residence an attempted to purchase narcotics from a narcotic detective. They were both arrested and found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. The Child was turned over to Child protective Service.

As a result of the search warrant five people were taken into custody on the below charges.

  Taken into custody were:

1) Hector Mendoza             36Yrs.             Woodlake resident          Date of arrest: 08-18-14

Charges: 11377/11378/11366/ 11353.6 H&S PC   possession of a controlled substance for sales/maintaining a place for the sales of narcotics/ sales of narcotics within a 1000 ft. of a School

2) Monica Ramirez               36Yrs.             Woodlake resident       Date of arrest: 08-18-14

Charges:  11377 H&S PC   possession of a controlled substance 

3) Rachel Sanchez               31Yrs.               Woodlake resident        Date of arrest: 08-18-14

Charges:  11377/11364 H&S/ 273A PC   possession of a controlled substance & paraphernalia/ child endangerment 

4) Crystal Tassey                27 Yrs.               Woodlake resident         Date of arrest: 08-18-14

Charges:  11377/11364 H&S/ 273A PC   possession of a controlled substance & paraphernalia/ child endangerment 

5) Alfred Lua                     26Yrs.               Woodlake resident           Date of arrest: 08-18-14

Charges:  Outstanding warrant

The investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division (559) 713-2950.