Pubdate: Thu, 22 Aug 2002
Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
Copyright: 2002 Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:  http://www.star-telegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/162
Author:  Deanna Boyd

POLICE FIND METHAMPHETAMINE LAB

FORT WORTH - Fort Worth narcotic officers converged on three warehouse 
shops Thursday morning where they discovered a methamphetamine lab that 
officials say appears to have been in operation for about five years.

Lt. Ric Clark, narcotics section supervisor, said the man who leases the 
shops was apparently tipped off to the searches after hearing police 
chatter on a scanner. The 35-year-old man tried to flee the area, Clark 
said, but was stopped by two narcotics officers watching the warehouse.

The suspect was arrested. He was still being booked into Mansfield Jail 
Thursday morning.

Clark said a tip prompted the raid, which started about 1:30 a.m. in the 
2300 block of Blue Smoke Court North.

Inside the shops, police found chemicals and equipment typically used in 
the manufacture of methamphetamines as well as $30,000 in cash hidden in a 
pickup. Police also discovered a four-wheel all-terrain buggy, a speed boat 
and seven vehicles, including two race cars, Clark said.

Clark said evidence at the scene indicated that hundreds of pounds of 
methamphetamines had been manufactured at the site for four to five years. 
Police found bookkeeping records of drug transactions.
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