Second meth arrest in 3 months

An alleged Norteño gang member was arrested by the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic Enforcement Team on Wednesday on suspicion of selling methamphetamine — the second time he's been arrested on that charge in three months.

Fredi Lopez Romero was first arrested in April by the California Highway Patrol when he was found with three ounces of methamphetamine in his possession during the routine traffic stop, NET-5 Commander Mike Hudson said.

Currently an ounce of methamphetamine is selling for $1,300, he said.

Romero, 34, made $25,000 bail and NET-5 continued monitoring him, Hudson said. Eventually, a search warrant was obtained.

Marysville police stopped Romero's vehicle at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. A search found a half-ounce of meth, a scale and paperwork reflecting the sale of meth, Hudson said.

The paperwork showed Romero was making sales in "ounce-level quantities" and distributing a pound or two of meth per month throughout the Yuba-Sutter area, Hudson said.

It's an example of how drugs and gangs go hand-in-hand, he said.

"Obviously, he didn't learn his lesson the first time around," Hudson said.

Romero was arrested on suspicion of sale of meth, transportation of meth, committing a felony while on bail and participation in a criminal street gang. He was booked into Yuba County Jail. Bail was $30,000.