A lengthy investigation by local and federal drug agents culminated Thursday with the arrest of a drug ring believed to have been distributing large amounts of methamphetamine and other narcotics in the area.

The Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration arrested five men, including one from Ceres, on a variety of drug-related charges and seized drugs, cash, and a stolen firearm in a series of coordinated searches.

The investigation began with an anonymous tip that narcotics were being sold out of Bob's Transmission at 917 Paradise Rd. in Modesto, according to Modesto Police spokesperson Heather Graves. Investigators suspect the business was being used to distribute methamphetamine and other drugs to dealers.

"These types of narcotic traffickers serve as the suppliers to many street level drug dealers which are quite often linked to local gangs," said Lt. Clint Raymer, commander of the SDEA. "SDEA and DEA will continue to focus on dismantling these drug trade organizations that exist in our community."

On Thursday morning the agents served a search warrant at the business and at sites in Ceres, Modesto and Turlock.

From the various searches, agents seized approximately two pounds of methamphetamine, an undisclosed amount of cocaine and marijuana, one stolen firearm, and $56,000 in cash, Graves said.

Arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail were: Abel Isais Cuevas, 33, of Modesto, with a $750,000 bail; Alejandro Arenas, aka Godinez, 45, of Turlock, with a $50,000 bail; Jorge Jasso, 47, of Modesto, with a $50,000 bail; Daniel Kee, 58, of Modesto, with a $50,000 bail; and Adan Cabrera, 31, of Ceres, with a $50,000 bail.
The men were charged with conspiracy, distribution of cocaine, and distribution of methamphetamine.