The National Criminal Enforcement Association has given the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office an award for its work on a 2014 drug seizure case.
Sheriff Margaret Mims accepted the award this week while attending the National Interdiction Conference in Virginia Beach.
On September 22, 2014, two narcotics detectives with the Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Highway 99 and Manning Ave. Once they contacted the driver, detectives noticed several indicators of narcotics trafficking. The detectives asked for and received permission to search the vehicle, who the driver claimed belonged to an uncle.
Upon searching the vehicle, detectives located what appeared to be a non-factory, hidden compartment. They found wires running into the trap door of the compartment and were able to unlock it. Inside was approximately 11 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. The driver was arrested on felony charges of drug possession, drug sales and having a false compartment.
Detectives obtained additional information during the traffic stop which revealed a stash house in Fresno County. Detectives coordinated with members of HIDTA Task Force (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) to gather additional information on the home located near W. Belmont and N. Cornelia Ave.
Detectives located a stolen vehicle in the driveway of the residence and in turn requested CHP officers write a search warrant for the location. Inside the home, detectives found a methamphetamine conversion lab. A conversion lab is a place where suspects bring liquid methamphetamine to be converted into a crystal form of methamphetamine for sale. A total of 62 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, nine gallons of methamphetamine in solution and one gun were seized as evidence.
In all, three suspects were taken into custody. The names of those arrested are not being released due to this being an ongoing investigation.
If you are aware of illegal drug activity, report it anonymously by calling the Narcotics Hotline at 1-800-660-1086 or Email:
