Saturday, August 18, 2007

Suspicion leads to bust of mobile meth lab

Police arrest three people in connection to the incident

Louis Calderon El Defensor Chieftain Intern, lcalderon@dchieftain.com

Three people were arrested early Thursday morning when a traffic stop led to drug charges involving a mobile methamphetamine lab.

Police arrested Cheryl Allen, 44, April Shockley, 25, and Jonathan Friar, 28. All are from Los Lunas.

"Ninety percent of meth comes from up north," said Officer Rocky Fernandez, who stopped the vehicle containing the portable meth lab.

Fernandez was driving southbound on Highway 85 when he noticed a vehicle with an expired license plate pass his patrol unit. Fernandez proceeded to follow the vehicle to confirm the plate was expired.

Before Fernandez got a confirmation, the vehicle entered I-25 northbound while weaving in and out of its lane. Fernandez stopped the vehicle and asked the driver, Allen, her reason for the weaving.

"They were headed back up with what they could transport back and forth," said Fernandez.

The criminal complaint stated Allen said she had just purchased the vehicle and was not used to the steering. During the questioning, the other two occupants, Shockley and Friar began to act nervous.

Fernandez asked Allen for her insurance and registration, which she wasn't able to produce. The complaint stated Allen's response was that she had just purchased the vehicle.

Allen was then asked to step out of the vehicle and that's when Fernandez noticed a large propane bottle and a black backpack. When the driver stepped out of the vehicle, Friar began acting even more nervous.

Fernandez asked Allen what they were doing in Socorro and she said they were visiting a friend, for whom she could only give a last name. Allen said there wasn't a reason for her nervousness when Fernandez questioned her about it.

Allen provided Fernandez with her driver's license and said she hadn't been using any narcotics.

Allen was allowed to return to her vehicle and Shockley was then questioned. She said they were just in Socorro visiting a friend and she couldn't provide a full name for the friend.

Fernandez noticed Shockley had dilated pupils and sores on her face and legs. Shockley admitted to using meth four days prior.

Shockley began acting suspiciously when asked if the vehicle contained any narcotics. The complaint stated she said she didn't know if there were any narcotics present.

Shockley was the most cooperative of the three and later stated she was seeing a doctor for her drug problem. Shockley then met with Officer Rebecca Gonzales as she arrived at the scene.

Fernandez then shifted his attention to Friar who was still moving around in the rear seat of the vehicle.

"The guy in the back was trying to hide things in view," said Narcotics Officer Angel Garcia, who assisted Fernandez in obtaining a search warrant.

Friar was asked to step out of the vehicle and he complied, and provided identification.

Friar was asked the same question about the purpose of their presence in Socorro, and his answer was the same as the other two suspects.

After running a check on Friar, Fernandez found that he had two warrants from Valencia County. The warrants were for failure to comply with conditions of probation and failure to appear at a time and place ordered by the court.

Friar was arrested on the warrants and placed in Fernandez's patrol car.

Fernandez went back to Allen and asked her once more if there was anything in the vehicle that they shouldn't have. Allen then became defensive when asked if the vehicle could be searched.

The complaint stated Allen refused to allow the vehicle to be checked without a search warrant even after Fernandez explained the reason for his suspicions of narcotics in the vehicle.

"When asked for consent to search the vehicle, the driver became very negative," Garcia said.

Fernandez told Allen that the vehicle was going to be towed because no insurance or registration could be provided. While doing vehicle inventory for the tow, Fernandez noted a small electric grinder sitting in the right passenger seat with a white residue. Also noted was the propane container and several bottles of chemicals used in the manufacturing of meth.

Fernandez stopped the inventory and asked Shockley if they were running a mobile meth lab and she confessed they were, according to the complaint. Shockley said the objects in the vehicle belonged to Friar.

"Meth is at the top of the list next to crack cocaine," said Fernandez of drugs in Socorro.

Garcia said he received a call from Fernandez explaining his findings. Garcia advised him to stop the inventory and tow the vehicle to the police department while he obtained a search warrant.

After having the car towed to the police station, none of the individuals wanted to cooperate with Fernandez, the complaint said. Friar became aggressive toward the two female occupants, so he was transported to the Socorro County Detention Center where he was incarcerated on the two warrants.

"He (Friar) was the actual cook," said Fernandez.

Fernandez notified the New Mexico State Police narcotics agents and meth lab team. Garcia said they disposed of hazardous waste and collected evidence pertaining to the meth lab. Also found in the vehicle were needles and what was believed to be heroine.

The evidence that was located was tested and it was found that all substances had a positive reaction for meth.

The three suspects were incarcerated at the detention center. Each of them faces charges of trafficking of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

"Rocky did an awesome job," Garcia said. "He took the proper steps to incarcerate the individuals for what they had. We're going to be out there looking to make the community safer."

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