Police arrest 2 on a drug charge of operating a meth lab

When people are supposedly running a methamphetamine lab out of a two-bedroom apartment in a housing authority residence, it seems logical that they wouldn’t make loud disturbances or call the police to come and quell a family dispute. However, just recently in New Jersey, police were called at 6:34 a.m. to an address in Hoboken on a report of a family dispute. They ultimately arrested two people found there on the drug charge of manufacture of controlled substances, along with other multiple drug charges.

Police found a 29-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man at the address, which was described as quiet when they arrived. The two said that they subleased apartment from another woman, who was later also apprehended and arrested on a drug charge and other charges. Police found cash in a metal garbage can, and in one of the bedrooms they found crack pipes with residue and a bong with a hose.

Police arrested the woman for having three open warrants. They arrested the man for criminal trespass, and then found bags of suspected methamphetamine on him, which apparently led to a drug possession charge. With the two in custody, police returned later with a warrant and indicated that they found equipment and ingredients used in cooking methamphetamine scattered throughout the apartment.

They also reportedly found drug paraphernalia and items used to store and measure drugs. They found bags with white powder and papers with price lists and instructions for making methamphetamine. Police arrested the other woman at another location on a drug-related charge of operating a drug facility and the drug charge of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The other two individuals were charged also with burglary and a drug charge of distribution of methamphetamine.

New Jersey law requires that a drug charge be supported by admissible evidence. There is some question whether the entrance into the apartment and the ensuing search of garbage cans and bedrooms was proper. If not, then all of the evidence would be inadmissible on a defense motion to suppress. Regarding the other woman, it’s debatable whether she could be guilty of operating a drug facility when not living there. The final story will be told when a drug crime defense is initiated and the facts further developed and evaluated.

Source: nj.com, “Hoboken police charge three with operating meth lab in public housing development,” Charles Hack, April 3, 2013