On March 30, 2021, deputies assigned to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Delano Substation conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the area of Highway 99 and Woollomes Avenue in Delano. Deputies contacted the driver, later identified as Mark Garcia, 21, of Bakersfield. Deputies obtained consent from Garcia to search the vehicle, and deputies located a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine in the trunk of the vehicle.

Due to the quantity of suspected methamphetamine located, detectives assigned to the Kern County- High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (KC-HIDTA) responded to the scene and took over the investigation.

Approximately 26 pounds of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $46,800, an operable digital scale, U.S. currency, and packaging material was located inside Garcia’s vehicle.

Garcia was arrested and booked in the Central Receiving Facility for transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales, and speeding.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.