KCSO: Two arrested in Bakersfield after meth lab bust nets 85 pounds of drugs

Two men were arrested after deputies allegedly found a meth conversion lab and about 58 pounds of meth in Bakersfield.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office said on November 6, 2024, the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA) finished a narcotics investigation with the execution of search warrants at a home and a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab in Bakersfield.

The investigation ended in the seizure of about 85 pounds of methamphetamine and two men arrested.

KCSO said during the investigation, search warrants were obtained for an apartment in the 3500 block of Ashe Road and a property in the 4000 block of Wible Road in Bakersfield, where it was believed a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab was being operated.

Officers from the Kern County Probation Department helped the KC-HIDTA Task Force in the execution of the search warrant.

KC-HIDTA and the Bakersfield Fire Department Prevention Services assessed the hazards of the methamphetamine conversion lab. KC-HIDTA processed the property for evidence while dismantling the conversion lab.

Detectives allegedly found and seized an additional 46 pounds of finished crystal methamphetamine and about 39 pounds of methamphetamine currently in a meth/liquid solution state.

KCSO said the investigation resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab/operation.

Cristian Escutia and Brandon Rancano-Franco were booked into the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Lerdo Justice Facility for 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.