BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A lengthy narcotics investigation by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and the Kern County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (KC-HIDTA) resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and other drugs, authorities announced Monday.
On March 3, search warrants were executed at two Bakersfield residences—an apartment in the 3000 block of O Street and a home in the 300 block of 8th Street. Investigators seized over 44,000 fentanyl-laced M-30 pills, a pound of black tar heroin, cocaine, processed marijuana, and several hundred live marijuana plants. A residential indoor marijuana grow operation was also dismantled.
Authorities arrested Alexander Horton, 26, and Alina Villarreal, 24, at their apartment, where they were found in possession of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and a loaded stolen firearm. Fidel Melgar-Trujillo, 29, of Sinaloa, Mexico, was taken into custody at his residence, which housed the indoor marijuana grow. He was found with fentanyl pills, heroin, processed marijuana, marijuana plants, suspected drug proceeds, and a loaded handgun.
All three suspects were booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility on multiple felony drug and firearm charges, including possession of a controlled substance for sale and maintaining a residence for drug distribution. The investigation was assisted by the Kern County Probation Department and California Highway Patrol’s K-9 Unit.