A California man faces federal drug charges after an incident earlier this month in northwest Kansas, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom.

Jeffrey L. Becklund, 56, Bellflower, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of interstate travel in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Jan. 24 in Thomas County.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $10 million on the possession charge, and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the interstate travel charge. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.