$4.1 Million in Cocaine Seized; 5 Suspects Held

Police seized an estimated $4.1-million worth of cocaine and arrested five suspected narcotics traffickers after raiding an Echo Park home where the drugs were being processed, authorities said Friday.

Narcotic detectives from Glendale and Los Angeles stormed the house early Thursday and found 20 pounds of cocaine in a bedroom closet and 40 pounds in two cars parked outside.

Police also found cocaine-processing equipment used to break the drug down from solid to powdered form.

Two of the suspects were arrested at the scene and three others were taken into custody later at a hotel in Montebello.

The arrests culminate a weeklong investigation by the Glendale Police Department with assistance from authorities in Los Angeles and Burbank, Glendale Police Lt. Paul Chiabotti said.

Hermand Garcia, 40, of Los Angeles, Nelson Eddy Guerrero, 32, of Los Angeles and Ida Marie Hernandez, 22, of Glendale are being held in lieu of $250,000 bail at the Glendale City Jail. The two suspected leaders of the drug team, Pedro Tabares, 50, of Florida, and Roberto Cabreras, 28, also of Florida, are being held on $500,000 bail in Glendale, Chiabotti said.