Large stash of drugs and guns found during search

TAFT — Two men suspected of burglarizing a home in Taft have been arrested and a cache of illegal guns and drugs was recovered in the process.

Executing a search warrant in connection with a burglary early in the day on July 15, in the 300 block of “E” Street in Taft, Kern County Sheriffs deputies went to a residence located at 406 Hillard Street in Taft at around 4:30 p.m.

Neighbors of this Hillard Street home probably had no idea there was a large supply of assault weapons and drugs inside.

There, according to deputies, they discovered 100 grams of methamphetamine, $2,300 in cash and seven firearms, including an AK-47, an Uzi machine pistol, a Bushmaster AR-15 equipped with an M-203 grenade launcher, as well as a numerous high capacity magazines and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The weapons were linked to 26-year-old Joe Brian Barraza, who is a convicted felon.

Barraza was booked at the Taft Jail on charges  of residential burglary, possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of an assault weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of  high capacity magazine, conspiracy and possession of paraphernalia. His bail has been set at $190,000.

Meanwhile, the second burglary suspect was also arrested. 30-year-old Daniel Gilbert Valdez was booked into Taft Jail  and remains behind bars on $72,500 bail on charges of residential burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen property  and possession of methamphetamine.

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