Three men were charged Wednesday after federal agents dismantled a methamphetamine conversion laboratory in Terra Bella and seized about 100 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, hundreds of gallons of methamphetamine solution, and approximately $600,000, federal prosecutors said.

Jose Diarte-Perez, 46, and Carlos Beltran-Ochoa, 27, both from Mexico and illegally residing in Terra Bella, are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and traffic methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California.

Lamberto Elorza-Chavez, 39, of Mexico, who prosecutors said was also illegally residing in Terra Bella, is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, agents executed a search warrant Friday at a Terra Bella residence, where investigators encountered and arrested all three defendants.

During the search, investigators found cannisters of acetone, boxes of muriatic acid, propane tanks, blue 50-gallon drums, multiple coolers, and two large freezers that authorities said were being used as part of a methamphetamine conversion laboratory.

Agents seized approximately 100 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, hundreds of gallons of methamphetamine in solution, about $600,000, and six firearms, prosecutors said.

If convicted of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a fine of up to $10 million.

A conviction for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime carries a minimum five-year sentence to be served consecutively, a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Elorza-Chavez faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.

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