Investigators search Salinas home on drug charges Tuesday morning

California Highway Patrol served a search warrant on drug charges Tuesday morning at a home in Salinas.

The search warrant was issued at the home of Herman Maldonado, 47, in the 200 block of Towt St. Investigators said Maldonado was under arrest for previous warrants out of Santa Cruz for sales of narcotics.

“The search warrant was served for sales of narcotics. So that’s what our officers are doing right now. They’re investigating, they’re searching the premise for any narcotics,” Officer Oscar Loza said.

CHP said the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office also helped with the search warrant.

“This is a state search warrant. So our units, special units, they do investigations as well. So this house has been under investigation. So the California Highway Patrol is conducting the search warrant,” Loza said.

Investigators said they searched the home for drugs using tactical gear because it can be a risky situation. They said a car was also searched.

“The reason they’re wearing all this tactical gear is because anytime we enter a residence, it’s unknown whether they have weapons, guns, knives, especially if it’s for narcotics. A lot of time drug dealers they like to arm themselves to protect themselves,” Loza said.

Officers said Maldonado was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail. Investigators said Maldonado had illegal prescription drugs at his girlfriend’s house including 104 methodone pills and 20 hydrocodone. CHP said the arrest warrant out of Santa Cruz was 10 years old.