OXNARD, Calif. — A California man is facing a host of felonies after authorities found a variety of drugs as well as a 4-foot crocodile at his Oxnard home.

Donny Askar, 44, was arrested March 2 on animal cruelty and suspicion of possession for sale of heroin and methamphetamine charges. He could also face a potential misdemeanor charge for alleged illegal possession of the reptile, KTLA reported.

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Officers were conducting a probation search at Askar’s waterfront residence when they discovered the crocodile “submerged in a poorly secured tank with rancid water,” police stated in a news release.

Concerned the reptile could easily have escaped into the adjacent Channel Islands Harbor, officials contacted California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens, who confiscated the crocodile and transported it to a “safe and secure location,” the news release stated.

“The crocodile is in a temporary facility that is permitted to provide this type of care, but will likely be moved to a different permitted facility that has a bit more expertise to care for the crocodile once the case is adjudicated,” a California Department of Fish and Wildlife spokesperson told People magazine.

Cocaine was also discovered during the search of Askar’s home, conducted as part of a narcotics investigation, the outlet reported.

Cox Media Group