$75,000 in meth seized during southeast Fresno drug bust

An undercover drug bust in southeast Fresno ended in the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of $75,000 of methamphetamine, police said.

Alexander Lopez Jurado, 29, was arrested allegedly attempting to sell roughly seven kilos, or $75,000 worth of methamphetamine, to an undercover agent Thursday morning at a Denny’s parking lot off of Jensen Avenue and Highway 99.

Sgt. Tim Tietjen said the sale was part of a larger drug-running crew that brings narcotics, mainly methamphetamine, from Southern California via Mexico to Fresno. Tietjen said that the packaging looks like it came directly from Mexico, and that “those involved are indirectly involved in cartels.”

Tietjen said that police investigators are attempting to address drug use and sales in Fresno at multiple levels, since drug sales influence everything from car thefts to burglaries and shootings.

“A few weeks ago we did a search warrant on gang members on Bulldog Lane, now we’re going after the large-end dealers and we’re taking them down,” Tietjen said.

Jurado was booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of possession, sales and transportation of methamphetamine.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 11:44 AM with the headline "$75,000 in meth seized during southeast Fresno drug bust."