MANTECA — Four Tracy men facing a variety of drug charges are set to go before a Manteca judge at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, to determine if there is enough evidence to send them to a trial.

On Friday, Dec. 28, the men appeared in the Manteca branch of San Joaquin County Superior Court before Judge Duane Martin, and their attorneys informed the judge they are set to proceed with a preliminary hearing that will allow the prosecution to present evidence against the defendants.

Following the hearing, the judge will rule if there is enough evidence to try the defendants.

Rodrigo Velarde, 35, Arturo Alvarez, 35, Jose Cabral, 28, and Jose Meza, 32, are all charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for sale. Velarde faces additional charges of being armed with a firearm, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm as a narcotics addict, and being armed during a criminal act.

The men were arrested by Drug Enforcement Administration officers during a warranted federal search at a house on the 11600 block of Larch Road at 6 a.m. Nov. 30.

Meza and Cabral have posted bail, while Velarde and Alvarez are being held at the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp without bail.

• Contact Denise Ellen Rizzo at 830-4225 or drizzo@tracypress.com.