BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Search warrant ended in the seizure of about 953.9 pounds of methamphetamine and over 2,725 pounds of methamphetamine in solution, the dismantlement of a large methamphetamine conversion lab in a residential home in Bakersfield.
Five people were arrested.
On October 30, 2025, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA), with assistance from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Special Services Unit, and personnel from the Kern County Probation Department concluded a narcotics investigation with several traffic stops and the execution of search warrant at a home in the 400 block of Rian Noelle Court in Bakersfield.
KCSO said during the investigation, 29-year-old Christian Castro from Sinaloa, Mexico, 22-year-old Kymberly Lopez-Garcia from Los Angeles, California, 26-year-old Jesus Felix-Castro from Sinaloa, Mexico were surveilled leaving the home in Bakersfield and traffic stopped as they travelled in tandem northbound Highway 99 South of Delano, and found to be in possession of about 10 pounds of methamphetamine.
49-year-old Fausto Zazueta-Beltran from Sinaloa, Mexico was found during the search warrant at the conversion lab and 46-year-old Casimiro Violante-Lopez from Mexicali, Mexico was found and arrested in the 17000 block of Riviera Street.
All five suspects were arrested for their involvement in the conspiracy to operate the clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab.
{p}Search warrant ended in the seizure of about 953.9 pounds of methamphetamine and over 2,725 pounds of methamphetamine in solution, the dismantlement of a large methamphetamine conversion lab in a residential home in Bakersfield.{/p}PHOTO: KCSO
Kern County Environmental Health and Kern County Code Compliance responded and assisted by conducting investigations respected to the dangerous chemicals/ hazards present at the residence/conversion lab.
KCSO said this investigation resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab/operation. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office, Regional Crime Lab Response Team responded and processed the scene for forensic evidence.
{p}Search warrant ended in the seizure of about 953.9 pounds of methamphetamine and over 2,725 pounds of methamphetamine in solution, the dismantlement of a large methamphetamine conversion lab in a residential home in Bakersfield.{/p}PHOTO: KCSO
Christian Castro, Kymberly Lopez-Garcia, Jesus Felix-Castro, Fausto Zazueta-Beltran and Casimiro Violante-Lopez were all booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Lerdo Justice Facility for the charges: manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, transportation of a controlled substance, maintaining a residence/place for drug sales and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Casimiro Violante-Lopez was the subject of a 2021 KC-HIDTA investigation that resulted in the seizure of 53 pounds of methamphetamine, and had an active felony warrant from that investigation.