An elementary school teacher and three others have been arrested on drug charges after Montgomery County deputy constables raided a Porter apartment where they found drugs, guns and cash inside.

Monica Quintero, 31, a first-grade teacher at Ridge Creek Elementary in the Humble Independent School District, was arrested on Tuesday after the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office raided her apartment on Valley Ranch Crossing Drive.

Residents at the apartment complex, a series of three-story stone and wood dwellings on a quiet street just off U.S. 59, had complained of the smell coming from the first-floor unit and said people were often seen entering and leaving the apartment, officials said. Quintero shared the apartment with two roommates, Andrew Zick, 31, and James Zipperer, 30.

"It was disturbing to find a lab set up in a family apartment complex adjacent to a neighborhood and in such close proximity to an elementary school," Precinct 4 Constable Kenneth Rowdy Hayden told the Montgomery County Police Reporter. "What's more disturbing is learning the female suspect is a first-grade teacher. Apparently, Ms. Quintero was living a double life and now it has caught up with her."

Precinct 4 deputies said that when they went to the apartment and were allowed inside, they found a chaotic scene, with plastic bags in plain view filled with substances that appeared to be methamphetamine and black tar heroin.

Quintero gave deputies permission to search the residence, officials said, and they found substances they believe to be heroin, liquid heroin and pills of Oxycontin, Xanax, Adderall and other drugs.

Deputies also found a slew of drug paraphernalia, including syringes, scales and other items apparently being used for a heroin lab in the apartment, officials said.

Deputies also found a pistol, owned illegally by one of the men, officials said, and more than $10,000 cash, as well as a slew of items they believe had been traded for drugs.

Humble school district officials said Quintero had been put on leave "immediately" while the charges against her work their way through the court system.

A lawyer representing her could not be immediately located.

Jamie Mount, a school district spokeswoman, said Quintero had spent the last year teaching a bilingual first-grade class. Quintero had worked at Park Lakes Elementary School and has been with the district since 2007, Mount said.

Debbie Romines, principal of Ridge Creek Elementary, said in a letter sent home to parents that the charges Quintero faced were related to "off-campus activities in her personal life."

A substitute teacher would be taking over Quintero's class, she said.

The roommates, as well as Mackinley Breeden, 34, have been charged with manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance — a first-degree felony. Zick also was charged as a felon in possession of a gun. Only Quintero has posted bail.

A phone call to the home of Quintero's family was not answered Thursday afternoon.