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The Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse is seen at Tulare and O streets in January 2025 in downtown Fresno, California.<\/p>\n
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA<\/p>\n
ezamora@fresnobee.com<\/p>\n
A multi-agency task force shut down a high-volume drug operation in Kern and Tulare counties Thursday, arresting nine people and seizing more than 2,000 pounds of the methamphetamine, 20 firearms and 4,000 marijuana plants.<\/p>\n
The investigation, dubbed \u201cOperation Klean Strip\u201d dismantled two major drug conversion labs operating out of residential homes in Bakersfield and Visalia. Both homes are in rural areas.<\/p>\n
Court records show agents were tipped off by a confidential source who told them people were buying large quantities of 5-gallon containers of Klean Strip acetone from local hardware stores.<\/p>\n
According to the court complaint, acetone is commonly used to pour over methamphetamine crystals to dissolve impurities and make the crystals more clear. The process is sometimes called cleaning.<\/p>\n
Crystal methamphetamine with a clean and clear appearance has a higher value and is considered better quality, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n
Photos displayed at a press conference in the Robert E. Coyle U.S. Courthouse in Fresno showed long tables with hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine drying in baggies. In another photo, drums of acetone line the wall of another home.<\/p>\n
In all, agents with the multi-agency Fresno High Impact Investigation Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized 2,171 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 721 pounds from the Bakersfield site on April 20 and 1,450 pounds from the Visalia site on May 20.<\/p>\n
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Crystal methamphetamine, propane tanks and 5-gallon acetone containers Special to the Bee <\/p>\n
Agents also recovered 475 gallons of methamphetamine in liquid form.<\/p>\n
Brian Tosh, special agent in charge, FBI Sacramento Field Office, said the discovery of the liquid solution posed a risk to law enforcement and residents in the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 475 gallons seized were a volatile mixture of hazardous chemicals. This material is far more dangerous to handle or store than the final crystal products,\u201d Tosh said.<\/p>\n
Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said the recent drug busts point to a resurgence in the making of methamphetamine in the San Joaquin Valley.<\/p>\n
During 2024-25, Zanoni said, FBI agents and members of Fresno\u2019s HIIT team have reported an uptick in methamphetamine conversion labs. \u201cThese laboratories are known for mass production and capable of producing hundreds of pounds of crystal methamphetamine,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd they can produce it in a very short period of time.\u201d<\/p>\n
To date, Zanoni said the Fresno high-impact team has seized more than 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine and recovered more than 500 pounds of dissolved methamphetamine solution.<\/p>\n
He and others expect more investigations and arrests as the United States continues to clamp down on illegal crossings at the border. Mexican drug cartels have shifted some of their production across the border into the U.S., including the Valley, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the increase in our border security and the restrictions at our borders, they have switched back to bringing the chemicals in and some of the other products, and they\u2019re making it here locally now, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re seeing the larger amounts, and that\u2019s why we had Operation Clean Strip,\u201d Zanoni said.<\/p>\n
The nine defendants face charges of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Jesus Efrain Lopez\u2011Felix, 34, of Tulare; Elvis Ramirez\u2011Beltran, 25, of Porterville; Gabriel Ramirez\u2011Beltran, 27, of Selma; Marissa Lopez\u2011Felix, 30, of Porterville; Jose Armando Lopez\u2011Felix, 29, of Yokuts Valley; Jaciel Lopez\u2011Felix, 23, of Sanger; Faustino Romero\u2011Leon, 50, of Sanger; Alberto Lopez\u2011Castillo, 21, of Visalia; Jesus Adrian Rios\u2011Ramirez, 27, of Mexico.<\/p>\n
Also facing charges are Ramiro Luna, 52, of San Bernardino, who was arrested on April 20 when deputies recovered about 320 pounds of crystal methamphetamine from his vehicle.<\/p>\n
Luna and his passenger Robert Gray, 54, of San Bernardino, were charged by indictment on Aug. 20 with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
Gustavo Alejandro Mendoza\u2011Felix, 27, of Visalia, was arrested May 20 when HITT and other law enforcement agencies served a search warrant at the Visalia methamphetamine lab where he resided. He was indicted on June 11 charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.<\/p>\n
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