MERCED – On December 5, 2018, Merced County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Kevin Blake received an anonymous tip regarding a possible methamphetamine lab in the 4000 block of Franklin Road. Upon investigation, Sergeant Blake located an active methamphetamine lab on the back of the property and detained two suspects, Carlos Nava and Martel Cuevas-Magallon.

The sheriff’s office called upon the California Department of Justice’s Fresno Meth Task Force to process the lab.   Seized were more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine, a loaded .22 caliber handgun, and more than $2,500 in cash.

Nava and Cuevas-Magallon were arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance with a loaded firearm.

“Citizens are the eyes and ears in our communities and greatly assist law enforcement in cases like this,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.  “Seizing 50 pounds of methamphetamine and arresting those manufacturing it will make a difference in Merced County.”