Warren

Two in custody after police raid meth operation

By Brian Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

Two men were arrested early on Aug. 5 after an anonymous phone call led police to a motel room near Dequindre and I-696 where drug paraphernalia and evidence of a simplified meth lab were discovered.

According to Warren Police Lt. Darcy Leutzinger of the Department’s Special Investigations Division, patrol officers went to the America’s Best Value Inn & Suites at about 7 a.m. after a caller said someone was possibly “cooking drugs” in a room and reported an obnoxious smell.

“Officers arrived and the suspects answered the door voluntarily. They seemed intoxicated,” Leutzinger said. “Officers noticed a strong toxic odor coming from the room. Through their brief investigation, they noticed narcotics paraphernalia laying about the room. Officers recognized there was also components commonly used for making methamphetamine there.”

Narcotics investigators from Warren and the Michigan State Police were called to the scene and allegedly found evidence of a particular type of meth operation.

“Upon examination we noticed ingredients that are used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, a method known as the ‘one-pot method,’ where it’s cooked in pop bottles, Gatorade bottles,” Leutzinger said.

Due to the volatility of the materials, Leutzinger said about 20 people were evacuated from nearby rooms.

The Warren Fire Department was dispatched to the motel to conduct a hazardous materials assessment. Crews took air quality readings and ventilated the room where the materials were found.

Leutzinger said the room was released to the operators of the motel after the on-scene investigation and recovery of evidence were complete. The two men in their early 20s who were in the room when police arrived remained in custody with charges pending Aug. 7 as narcotics investigators conferred with Macomb County prosecutors.

Manufacturing methamphetamine is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brian Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1089.