Tuesday, Jun. 24, 2008

Police uncover mobile meth lab worth nearly $2,000

By VICTOR A. PATTON
vpatton@mercedsun-star.com

WINTON -- Investigators are calling it a meth lab on wheels.

Agents with the Merced County Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force arrested several suspects after they discovered a small, makeshift methamphetamine operation worth between $1,600 and $2,000 -- inside a car's trunk.

The agents saw the white Hyundai pulling up to the rear of a residence on the 8200 block of Central Avenue, according to Cmdr. Neil Compston of the Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force. After the driver of the car saw the agents at the home, however, he tried to flee by driving into an orchard.

"Unfortunately for him, there was a search team that was looking for narcotics in that particular orchard. They confronted him in the orchard and he stopped," Compston said.

After pulling over the car, the agents detected a strong chemical odor inside the car -- and discovered equipment, vessels, hoses and chemicals for making methamphetamine. The agents were joined by members of the Fresno Methamphetamine Task Force.

Compston said the lab was capable of producing two ounces of methamphetamine. The driver of the car, Serafin Garibay, 31, of Winton, had chemical burns on his hands, which is indicative of methamphetamine production, Compston said. "It's a pretty nasty burn on his right hand," Compston said.

Garibay and six other suspects were arrested during the incident, Compston said. Two of the suspects were passengers in Garibay's car, while others were arrested at the home during the search warrant.

Compston said he's seen small-scale methamphetamine labs in cars before. "They can do small production inside the vehicle," Compston said. "It's a mobile bomb, really. It's very dangerous. It also makes it difficult to find because they can move it and hide it wherever they want."

Garibay was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine and resisting arrest. The other suspects were booked on charges ranging from alleged methamphetamine possession, parole violations and attempted destruction of evidence.

The other suspects arrested included Sebastian Gatica, 28, of Winton, Ramon Ayala Parda, 29, of Atwater, Mariano Preciado, 33, of Delhi, Jose Rodriguez, 42, of Winton, Irma Salazar, 43, and Javier Lozano, 34.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.