76 pounds of heroin seized, man arrested after standoff with police

Authorities discovered 76 pounds of packaged heroin in the home of a San Bernardino man involved in a 45-minute standoff with police on Monday.

Police were called to the suspect’s home after he stood on his driveway and allegedly starting firing a handgun, prompting calls from worried neighbors.

Frank Cardona, 33, was arrested on suspicion of possession and sale of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm.

After the arrest, the Police Department’s gang unit obtained a search warrant for his home in the 1200 block of West King Street. Inside they found the tar heroin, which the department estimated to be worth $3 million if sold on the street.

“They are definitely looking into a relationship to Mexican drug cartels because of the size of the seizure,’’ said Lt. Gwendolyn Waters.

It’s unclear why Cardona was in front of the home firing a gun, which triggered the police response, Waters said.

Also arrested on suspicion of drug possession and sales was Dulce Valdez-Quintero, 30, of Tijuana, who was inside the home when police arrived.

ALSO:

Authorities search for coyote that killed dog in Laguna Beach

Suspected drunk driver hits police cruiser

Thieves show some brass as they steal sprinkler parts in Redlands

-- Phil Willon

Photos, from top: The seized packaged heroin, Frank Cardona and Dulce Valdez-Quintero. Credit: San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department