Turlock man arrested in meth sting

Authorities on Tuesday arrested a Turlock man suspected of making methamphetamine and selling it in Merced, Fresno and Stanislaus counties.

Jose Silva, 37, was arrested on suspicion of possession of meth for the purpose of sales, transportation of meth and possession of chemicals to manufacture meth, deputy Tom MacKenzie, a Merced County sheriff's spokesman, said Wednesday. Silva was the focus of a monthlong investigation by the Merced County sheriff's Narcotics Enforcement Team.

MacKenzie said the investigation spilled into Fresno, where Fresno police suspected Silva was selling large quantities of meth. Both law enforcement agencies cooperated in an undercover operation.

On Tuesday afternoon, undercover investigators made arrangements to purchase meth from Silva, MacKenzie said. Once the deal was made, the investigators arrested Silva near West Main Street and Crows Landing Road, a few miles west of Turlock, he said.

The investigators searched Silva's vehicle and found about five pounds of meth, along with some pseudoephedrine, one of the ingredients to make the drug, MacKenzie said. Detective Paul Barile of the narcotics team estimated the drug's street value was about $100,000.

Investigators believe Silva purchased pseudoephedrine in Merced County, manufactured meth in Stanislaus County and sold the drug in Merced, Fresno and Stanislaus counties. Silva was booked at Fresno County Jail. MacKenzie said Silva also was wanted on a $1 million warrant from Merced County on suspicion of assault with the intent to commit rape and burglary.