Two homes in Castaic were raided yesterday after months of surveillance by narcotics detectives who suspected both locations were involved in drug trafficking.

After serving search warrants at a home in the 27500 block of Violin Canyon Drive and another at a home in the 31400 block of Arrow Point, both in Castaic, detectives arrested three men and one woman.

They also took 10 children, between the ages of six months and 17 years of age, into protective custody.

Also recovered in the search were three guns, a large amount of cash and several ounces of methamphetamine.

Several months ago, a community member alerted deputies to a high volume of short-term traffic at the homes, indicating possible drug sales in front of the house. During their investigation, narcotics detectives determined the two houses were linked in their illegal activity.

Taken into custody were three Castaic residents: Midalia Herhandez, 19, who faces felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail; Manuel Arciniega, 35, who faces felony charges of possession of a fraudulent document and is being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and Rafael Arciniega, 46, who faces felony charges of possession of methamphetamine for sale and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. Also arrested was James Sterns, 49, of Frazier Park, who also faces felony charges of possession of methamphetamine for sale and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.

The children were released to the Department of Children and Family Services for investigation and placement.