Drugs, weapons arrest near west Modesto junior high

A search of a home near Mark Twain Junior High ended with the arrest of three men and discovery of a destructive device that turned out to be a smoke grenade, rendered safe by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad.

At about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers with the Modesto Narcotics Enforcement Team, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) and the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency served a search warrant at a residence in the 900 block of California Avenue, within 800 feet of the west Modesto campus.

During the investigation, methamphetamine, heroin and a rifle were found inside the home, as well as the smoke grenade, said Modesto police Lt. Aaron Tait.

The resident, Neal Taylor, 61, was arrested on charges of drug sales, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of ammunition by a felon and possession of a destructive device. Ron McNeill, 56, and Raymond Ortiz, 59, were arrested on outstanding warrants.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 7:12 PM with the headline "Drugs, weapons arrest near west Modesto junior high."