April 19, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on April 18, 2025, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA), Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, (TNT-HIDTA) and Kings County Sheriff’s Office (Major Crimes) Task Force concluded a narcotics investigation with the execution of search warrants at the suspects residence and a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab in the 8700 block of Jersey Avenue, Hanford resulting in the seizure of approximately 368 pounds of methamphetamine and the arrest of two (2) suspects.

During the investigation, search warrants were obtained for residential farmhouses in the 3600 block of Road 36 in Tulare and in the 8700 block of Jersey Avenue, Handford, where it was believed a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab was operated. Officers from the California Highway Patrol (Central K-9) unit assisted in the execution of the search warrant. Casimiro Baringas-Echavaria, (age 40) and Fernando Sanchez-Zamora, (age 35) both of Sinaloa, Mexico were located at the conversion lab and were subsequently arrested for their involvement in the operation of the clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab and sales of methamphetamine. 

Kings County Environmental Health and Code Compliance assisted in the investigation and conducted investigations with respect to the dangerous chemicals/ hazards present at the conversion lab. This investigation resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab/operation.

Casimiro Baringas-Echavaria and Fernando Sanchez-Zamora were booked into the Kings County Sheriff’s Office jail 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 conspiracy to commit a crime.

Source & photos: Kern County Sheriff’s Office