Detectives seized more than $120,000 in methamphetamine and cocaine during a drug bust in White City last week.

Four men, three with ties to Los Angeles gangs, were arrested at a home in the 2800 block of Avenue A on Oct. 17, the sheriff's department said in a news release Tuesday.

In all, 4 pounds of high-quality meth, 1 pound of cocaine, a half-pound of marijuana, several guns, a stolen all-terrain vehicle and $17,000 were seized by Jackson County sheriff's detectives assigned to the Jackson County Narcotics Enforcement Team and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

Several neighbors had called police saying they suspected drugs were being sold from the home. When police arrived, they found guns in nearly every room. Also, one man was arrested while trying to bury a safe filled with drugs and cash in the backyard, Jackson County Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan said.

"Indications are that the operation was connected to cartels in Mexico," Sheriff Mike Winters said.

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It was one of the county's largest meth busts of the year. In January, Oregon State Police troopers seized 8 pounds of meth during a traffic stop.

Winters said people who lived nearby had reported seeing high volumes of traffic at the house late at night and other suspicious activity.

"It's a partnership between the sheriff's office and the citizens that makes busts like this," he said.

The man who rented the house, Raul Rodrigo Lopez-Valenzuela, 22, was arrested on charges of manufacturing, possession and delivery of meth and cocaine. He is also suspected of being in the county illegally. He was lodged in the Jackson County Jail without bail.

In addition, Anthony Martinez, 28, of Los Angeles, was arrested on a charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon. He is suspected of being in the country illegally and has a long criminal history with prior convictions of smuggling illegal aliens into the country and drug crimes, officials said. He, too, was lodged in jail without bail.

Juan Canela, 30, of Los Angeles, was charged with manufacturing, possession and delivery of meth. He was released from jail after posting bail.

David Chavez, 23, of Los Angeles, was charged with manufacturing, possession and delivery of cocaine and possession of meth. He was released from jail after posting bail.

Winters expects Chavez and Canela left the county for Los Angeles. The investigation is continuing.

"The only way we'll see them in court here is if they're picked up on warrants down in California," he added.

The reported street value of the meth was $96,000. The cocaine carried an estimated street value of $24,000, police said.

Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail cconrad@mailtribune.com.