KCSO: Clandestine meth conversion lab dismantled
The Kern County Sheriff's Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force dismantled what it called a "large-scale" clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab in the 4000 block of Wible Road in Bakersfield on Wednesday, turning up about 85 pounds of methamphetamine.
Deputies, along with Kern County Probation Department officers, also searched an apartment in the 3500 block of Ashe Road.
Deputies arrested Cristian Escutia, 22, of Mexico City, Mexico, and Brandon Rancano-Franco, 22, at the conversion lab, according to a KCSO news release.
Detectives seized 46 pounds of finished crystal methamphetamine and approximately 39 pounds of methamphetamine in a meth/ liquid solution state, the news release said.
Escutia and Rancano-Franco were arrested on suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, maintaining a residence/place for drug sales and conspiracy to commit a crime, KCSO said.
