SP man, arrested on meth lab charges, was out on bail for earlier arrest

August 29, 2001
Santa Paula News

A Santa Paula man arrested Aug. 22 on charges he was operating an illegal methamphetamine lab on remote property near the city was found to be out on bail stemming from a January arrest for having a drug lab in county-based Verizon facilities.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA Santa Paula man arrested Aug. 22 on charges he was operating an illegal methamphetamine lab on remote property near the city was found to be out on bail stemming from a January arrest for having a drug lab in county-based Verizon facilities.Now, bail has been set at $500,000 for both Walter McKenna, 47, and Jesse Leon, 43, both of Santa Paula, who were arrested Wednesday at about 10:45 a.m. after Ventura County Sheriff Department narcotic officers investigated a citizen’s complaint.According to VCSD Sgt. Bob Garcia, a property owner found some “laboratory-type glassware,” on his property located in the 3900 block of Ojai-Santa Paula Road - outside Santa Paula city limits - and contacted narcotic detectives. “The property owner had not given anyone permission to store any items in this area of the property, which is vacant land except for a few unoccupied outbuildings. . .he also found that people were living on the property in a motor home and trailer without permission.”When investigators arrived on scene the glassware was gone but evidence found that indicated the scene had been the site of a methamphetamine lab. They also discovered that McKenna was living on the property in a motor home.“McKenna was known to detectives because he had been arrested earlier this year for two methamphetamine labs located on property belonging to Verizon,” said Sgt. Garcia.
A search warrant was obtained and investigators located components and chemicals necessary for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Sgt. Garcia said a California Department of Justice laboratory team was called in to process the lab before a hazardous waste contractor transported the components and chemicals from the scene.McKenna and Leon were both arrested and booked for the manufacturing of methamphetamine; Leon, who had several outstanding warrants, was found to be in the possession of cocaine and was booked on the additional charges.Based on evidence at the lab site, Sgt. Garcia said it was estimated that approximately 9 to 10 pounds of methamphetamine could have been manufactured.“The value of that amount - if sold in pound quantities - is $45,000 to $50,000,” Sgt. Garcia noted.McKenna had been arrested on Jan. 19 on suspicion of operating drug labs at Verizon facilities in Oxnard and Santa Paula; he was a Verizaon employee and a resident of Ventura at the time. McKenna’s bail was set at $50,000 on charges of suspicion of possession and manufacture of methamphetamine; two other suspects were also arrested during the Jan. 19 raid.



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