Agents seize guns, drugs in raids and arrest five

Agents of the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force, assisted by a United States Border Patrol K-9 unit, seized approximately 70 grams of marijuana, approximately 100 prescription narcotic pills, and six firearms, including an illegally modified fully automatic Sten submachine gun, while serving a narcotics search warrant in the 1900 block of West 17th Place Tuesday evening.

"It was the result of an ongoing investigation into reports of drug activity at the residence," Yuma County Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Eben Bratcher said of the raid. "It wasn't a significant amount of drugs, but the automatic weapon was a concern."

Agents also seized several hundred rounds of ammunition and two military flak jackets at the raid on the residence of Arnold Noriega, 35 - 1917 W. 17th Place.

While at the residence, agents arrested two subjects who showed up during the service of the search warrant - Daniela Gonzalez, 25, of Yuma, and Steven Miranda, 19, of Yuma.

"These people weren't the target of the warrant, but they started showing up at the residence for unknown reasons, so we found reasons to arrest them," Bratcher said.

Gonzalez was arrested on an outstanding warrant for five counts of issuing bad checks and Miranda was arrested for driving on a suspended license.

Charles Noriega, who was the target of the warrant, was not home when agents arrived with the search warrant. He was later located and arrested in the 1500 Block of West 8th Street. Also arrested with him were Artimio Clark, 26, of Yuma, and Jesus Aguilar, 26, of Yuma.

Bratcher said both Clark and Aguilar had also shown up at the residence during the service of the warrant but were not arrested. He said they were released without any charges after being informed agents were looking for Noriega.

"Later when we made contact with Noriega and arrested him, Clark and Aguilar were with him, so they were arrested for trying to help him get away," Bratcher said.

Noriega was booked into the Yuma County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana, and multiple counts of misconduct with weapons.

Clark and Aguilar were arrested for hindering prosecution.

"Noriega was our primary target, so we got him and four other collateralls," Bratcher said.

All five suspects are scheduled to appear in Yuma Justice Court on Wednesday afternoon.

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James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.