CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Two Clearlake men were arrested and methamphetamine valued at $22,000 was seized following a vehicle stop last week.

Juan Jose Chavez, 47, and 35-year-old Jorge Enrique Rodriguez were arrested following the stop, which took place on the evening of Friday, Dec. 27, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Just after 5 p.m. that day a patrol deputy was traveling along Dam Road in Clearlake when he observed ahead of him a green Dodge Dakota with an expired registration tab. Brooks said the deputy conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle in the 15000 block of Dam Road.

The deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Chavez. Brooks said the deputy requested Central Dispatch conduct a records check of Chavez, which revealed he did not have a valid driver’s license.

A records check also was conducted on Rodriguez, Chavez's passenger, which showed he was on formal felony probation out of Lake County for the sales of methamphetamine, Brooks said.

The deputy conducted a search of Rodriguez and located two large plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance, inside his front pants pocket. Brooks said the deputy determined that both of the bags contained methamphetamine.

A detailed search of the passenger area of the vehicle produced two glass meth pipes which were located under the front seat, Brooks said.

Directly under the driver’s seat of the vehicle was a large plastic bag containing six individually packaged bags of methamphetamine. Brooks said the total weight of the methamphetamine was 219.54 grams or 7.70 ounces, which has a current street value of approximately $22,000.

Brooks said Rodriguez was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and a felony probation violation. Chavez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

On Monday both men remained in custody, Chavez on an immigration and Rodriguez for a felony probation violation, according to jail records.

Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.