Major Meth Conversion Lab Dismantled, Two Arrests
September 20, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that search warrants result in the seizure of approximately 252.2 pounds of methamphetamine, an additional 100 gallons of methamphetamine in solution, 14 firearms, a large amount of U.S currency believed to be derived from narcotics sales, the dismantlement of a methamphetamine conversion lab at a residential farm home in the Central Valley and the arrest of two (2) suspects.
On September 18, 2025, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA), Department of Justice, High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT) and personnel from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office concluded a narcotics investigation with the execution of search warrants at the suspects residence and a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab in the 16000 and 19000 block of W. Jensen Avenue in Kerman.
During the investigation, search warrants were obtained for residential farmhouses west of Kerman, California, where it was believed a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab was being operated. Jose Beltran-Rojas, (age 21) from Sinaloa, Mexico and Alfredo Duenas, (age 49) from California were located at each residence and subsequently arrested for their involvement in the operation of the clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab and the possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of sales.
KC-HIDTA and HIIT lab personnel along with personnel from the DOJ Bureau of Forensic Science processed the residence with respects 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.
Jose Beltran-Rojas and Alfredo Duenas were booked into the Fresno 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. Alfredo Duenas was also charged with possession of firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm while being in possession of a controlled substance.
Source & photos: Kern County Sheriff’s Office
