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4 Arrested After Guns, 6 Pounds of Suspected Meth Found in Kern County
ANTHONY SITE PHOTO
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 1 day ago on
August 17, 2026

Four men were arrested Thursday after Kern County sheriff’s detectives investigating copper wire thefts found eight firearms and about 6 pounds of suspected methamphetamine at a property outside Wasco. (Kern County SO)

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Four men were arrested Thursday after Kern County sheriff’s detectives investigating copper wire thefts found firearms and about 6 pounds of suspected methamphetamine at a property outside Wasco, authorities said.

Detectives with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crimes Investigations Unit and deputies from the Buttonwillow and Delano substations served a search warrant in the 16000 block of Wildwood Road at Wildwood Estates, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said Ramon Araujo, 34; Amador Fraijo Villegas, 49; Luis Osbaldo Valdez, 31; and Martin Fernandez, 44, were found on the property.

During the search, deputies found eight firearms, including shotguns, handguns and an AR-15-style rifle, the Sheriff’s Office said. Detectives also found about 6 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and items consistent with the sale of the drug.

All four men were arrested on various charges, including possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person, grand theft of copper materials, possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of a firearm while possessing a controlled substance.

Araujo and Fraijo Villegas also were arrested on outstanding warrants, authorities said.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.
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