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| Nicolas Cendoya and Kyndall Jack |
(Scroll down for video) Two hikers, who were lost for three days, were rescued by a rescue team after a several day long search.
Now, they might be held responsible for their rescue cost.
One of the two teenage hikers who was rescued from the Cleveland National Forest in Orange County, California, has been charged with drug possession.
Nicolas Cendoya, 19, of Costa Mesa, was arrested Wednesday, after police found methamphetamine in his car. The authorities had searched his car, which was parked near the Holy Jim Canyon trail, looking for clues that could lead to his rescue during the dramatic search of five days.
When they were rescued, Cendoya and Kyndall Jack, 18, told police they were out on a day trip on Sunday when they got separated and were lost in the woods. They were found and rescued separately. Cendoya was spotted, barefoot and less than a mile from his car on Wednesday. Jack was discovered the next day, also without shoes.
The rescue operation, involved multiple law enforcement agencies, and cost about $160,000. One volunteer reserve deputy was injured during the search when he fell 60 meters into a ravine and is reportedly recovering from a head injury and broken ribs. After being found, the teens were treated in a hospital for severe dehydration and other problems.
“We were all so happy that they were found alive and well, it was a scary week for all of us until they were home safely. Now, they are trying to put the terrifying incident behind them,” James Wilson, 19, of Orange County, California told YourJewishNews.com after the teens were discovered.
Authorities believe that the pair went to the woods to do drugs, causing them to be impaired. Cendoya denied Tuesday that he was on drugs during the hike.
If convicted on drug charges Cendoya could face up to three years in prison.
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