August 19, 2026 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that a lengthy narcotics investigation was concluded with the execution of a search warrant that resulted in the seizure of approximately 216 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately 3 gallons of methamphetamine in solution, 1 loaded firearm, 2 pounds of marijuana, the dismantlement of a methamphetamine conversion lab in a residential home in California City and the arrest of one (1) suspect.

On August 17, 2026, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA) was assisted by Wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (Cannabis Enforcement Program) and Task Force Officers with the Bakersfield Police Department in the execution of a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Camp Fire Drive, California City.

KC-HIDTA lab personnel accessed the property with respect to the dangerous chemicals/ hazards present at the conversion lab, dismantled the conversion lab and notified Kern County Environmental Health. California City Code Enforcement responded, investigated the hazards present at the residence, and tagged the residence unsafe for occupying.

Juan Manuel Castro Lopez (age 54) from Sinaloa, Mexico was booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Lerdo Justice Facility for the following charges: manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, maintaining a residence/place for drug sales and possession of a loaded firearm while in possession of a controlled substance.

Source & photo: Kern County Sheriff’s Office