Photos courtesy of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office
Kern County authorities have reportedly seized 85 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested two individuals as part of a recently-concluded narcotics investigation.
According to a press release by the Sheriff’s Office, the operation, which ended on November 6, included the execution of search warrants at a residence and a methamphetamine conversion lab located on the 4000 block of Wible Rd. in Bakersfield.
During the investigation, authorities obtained search warrants for an apartment in the 3500 block of Ashe Road and a property on Wible Road, suspected to house a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab.
The Kern County Probation Department assisted in executing the search warrant, leading to the arrests of Cristian Escutia, 22, and Brandon Rancano-Franco, 22, at the scene.
Authorities evaluated the lab’s safety hazards while detectives processed evidence and dismantled the site. Authorities reportedly seized an additional 46 pounds of finished methamphetamine and around 39 pounds in liquid solution.
Escutia and Rancano-Franco were booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Lerdo Justice Facility on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell, maintaining a residence for drug sales, and conspiracy.
