“Dismantling a clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab and operation of this magnitude can only assist in the battle against illegal drugs and to help keep our communities and neighborhoods safe.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
NORTH EDWARDS – On September 3, 2025, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA), the LAPD Hollenbeck Narcotics Task Force, the Kern County District Attorney’s Office Investigations Unit, and wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) concluded a narcotics investigation with the execution of search warrant at a rural property in the 19500 blk of Desert View, North Edwards.
The search warrant resulted in the seizure of approximately 762 pounds of methamphetamine, and an additional 100 pounds of methamphetamine in solution, the dismantlement of a large methamphetamine conversion lab, and the arrest of three suspects.
During the investigation, Rigoberto Lugo-Flores, 48, and Jesus Alfredo-Quintero, 32, both from Culiacan Sinaloa, Mexico, and Juventino Torres, 48, from Michoacan, Mexico were quickly apprehended as they attempted to flee the property where law enforcement officers located the methamphetamine conversion lab. All three suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy to operate the clandestine methamphetamine conversion lab and for possession of marijuana for sales.
Kern County Environmental Health and Kern County Code Compliance assisted in the investigation and conducted investigations respected to the dangerous chemicals/ hazards present at the conversion lab.
Rigoberto Lugo-Flores, Jesus Alfredo-Quintero, and Juventino Torres were all booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, Lerdo Justice 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, possession of marijuana for sales and conspiracy to commit a crime. Rigoberto Lugo-Flores was also charged with possession of a controlled substance while being armed with a loaded handgun.
