Two Livingston men accused of possessing 10 pounds of meth

Two men were arrested in the Livingston area by agents with the Merced Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force this week for allegedly possessing 10 pounds of methamphetamine and additional charges, according to the Merced County Sheriff's Department.

Agents served a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of G Street in Livingston around 8 p.m. Tuesday. During the service of the search warrant, agents recovered the methamphetamine, which has a street value of $20,000.

Agents also seized around 20 pounds of marijuana, with a street value of $80.000 and a large caliber handgun, according to the sheriff's department.

During the operation, agents arrested suspects Mario Villapudua, 39, and Armando Partida, 25, both of Livingston.

Villapudua was arrested and booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine, possessing marijuana for sale and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Villapudua was being held on $80.000 bail.

Partida was booked on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine, possessing marijuana and an outstanding warrant. Partida was being held on $32.000 bail.

Both men were released after their bail was posted.

-- Sun-Star staff