-from

By Tom Alex

Des Moines police narcotics officers said Monday that an investigation wrapped up over the weekend produced four arrests, 110 pounds of marijuana, 2 pounds of cocaine and about $106,000 in cash.

The street value of the drugs was estimated at $371,000.

Some of the drug cache was found in a false gas tank on one of three vehicles that also were seized, police said.

Authorities said the operation sold about 800 pounds of marijuana per month from a house at 4035 Indianola Road.

Charged are:

• Ramiro Duran-Flores, 33, of Englewood, Colo.

• Jose Ortega, 36, of Burlington, Colo.

• Kevin Watts, 54, of Stewartville, Minn.

• Shannek Darnell Young, 29, who listed an address in the 1700 block of Washington Avenue.

Watts allegedly was in Des Moines to buy drugs, police said, and Duran and Ortega allegedly brought the drugs into the city.

Maj. David Lillard said Des Moines officers received a tip which led to the investigation. Using information developed in Des Moines, authorities with a drug task force in Minnesota went to Watts’ home in Stewartville with a search warrant. An additional 14 pounds of suspected marijuana and $12,000 in cash were found there, police said.

Investigations in Colorado and Minnesota continue, officials said.