By Sarah Elizabeth Villicana, The Porterville Recorder
It seems as if detectives with the Porterville Police Department are on a roll that won't end, busting another major drug operation within city limits.

Authorities stumbled onto Tuesday's large-scale drug operation after responding to a call about a home robbery. Porterville Sgt. Duanne Griffin said the caller said men forced their way into a home in the 1500 block of West Date Avenue in Porterville.

The men were in the home for about three to five minutes and fled the scene in a silver vehicle. Police were called to the residence to investigate, according to a statement from Sgt. Jake Castellow. While at the scene, a detective saw what appeared to be a setup for indoor marijuana cultivation through an open door, Griffin said.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the West Date Avenue home and a second home in the 2200 block of West Kings Cross Avenue. A search of both houses was conducted and officers found two elaborate indoor growing operations. More than 100 pounds of marijuana was seized from the two homes.

The marijuana was packaged for sale and had a street value of about $250,000. Detectives also found packaging materials, narcotic paraphernalia and scales. During the course of the investigation, Gerald Harden, 29, and Charlotte Harden, 23, both of Porterville, were identified as suspects in this case. Harden was booked into the Tulare County Main Jail on suspicion of selling and possessing marijuana, cultivation of marijuana and possession of dangerous weapons. He is being held in lieu of $500,000. Charlotte Harden was booked at the Bob Wiley Detention Center for possession and sales of marijuana, cultivation of marijuana, destruction of evidence and possession of dangerous weapons. She is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail.

The home invasion robbery investigation is ongoing and suspects are being sought. Detectives reportedly seized between 80 and 100 pounds of marijuana and 1/2 ounce of peyote on Oct. 24 at a hone in the 2000 block of West La Vida Avenue. Jolly Eubanks, 30, turned himself into authorities on Nov. 2 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in relation to this case. Jason Hawkins, 21, was arrested Nov. 11 for suspicion of possessing marijuana for sales in connection with the marijuana seized on West La Vida Avenue.

It was Nov. 7 when police arrested Carolina Galvin, 32, of Porterville on suspicion of possessing stolen property, unlawful use of credit cards, forgery, grand theft and felony parole violation. Evidence of drug use and sales was also found.

On Nov. 8, officers arrested Rafael Cordona, 28, at a home in the 1600 block of West Castle Avenue on suspicion of sales of a controlled substance, possession of firearms during the commission of a felony, cultivation of marijuana, possession of weapons by a convicted felon and maintaining a residence where narcotics are being sold. Detectives seized narcotics valued at $7,500 along with $50,000 in cash and several weapons.

Contact Sarah Villicana at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or svillicana@portervillerecorder.com.

This story was published in The Porterville Recorder on Nov. 16, 2006