LAPLACE – Last Monday, St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office deputies received valuable tips that led to the arrest of two men for operating methamphetamine labs.
A caller said Steven Keller, 39, of 460 Mahogany Street in LaPlace, was in possession of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and transporting the laboratory to a location in Reserve. Detectives conducted an investigative stop on the described vehicle. Upon searching the truck and trailer, they recovered several items used to manufacture methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and traces of methamphetamine.
Keller was arrested and among the charges were creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory (possession of materials), creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory (transportation of materials), possession of a schedule II CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia. He bonded out on a $31,000 property bond.
Keller’s landlord called detectives to report a strong chemical odor emitting from the garage the following Wednesday. Detectives found chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Because of the volatile nature of the chemicals, a chemical disposal company was called to safely dispose of the chemicals. Additional charges for Keller are pending.
The same Monday, narcotics detectives received information about another individual involved in trafficking methamphetamine and operating a clandestine laboratory from his mother’s house in Garyville. Detectives confirmed the identification of Richard Freeman, 44, and found there were two outstanding arrest warrants for his arrest.
They went to the Garyville residence on Historic West Street and conducted a knock and talk interview with him. With Freeman’s cooperation, detectives recovered a container of methamphetamine, marijuana, and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine. Detectives also recovered an active meth lab in the initial stages of the manufacturing process. A chemical disposal company was called to safely dispose of the chemicals.
Freeman was arrested and booked with creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory, possession of schedule II CDS, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, contempt of court and fugitive from another agency. Freeman bonded out of jail for $35,650.