LAPLACE – Officers with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a Reserve man last week for operating a methamphetamine lab.
Detectives initiated a narcotics investigation after receiving information that Jeffery Williams, 36, and others were purchasing precursors to cook meth. Detectives conducted surveillance on Wil-liams’ residence, located at West First Street in Reserve, and obtained a judicial court ordered search warrant based on the information that was collected during surveillance.
Williams was in the process of cooking meth when detectives executed the search warrant at his residence. Detectives seized a handgun, a device used to smoke narcotics, scales used in the sale of narcotics and .5 grams of meth from the residence. Williams’ residence also had an intricate ventilation system that ventilated toxic fumes produced while cooking the substance.
A hazardous waste disposal company was called in to disassemble the lab and remove the toxic chemicals.
Williams, who has had three prior arrests in St. John the Baptist Parish since October 1994, was booked with distribution/manufacture schedule II CDS, illegal carrying a weapon with CDS, obstruction of justice-tampering with evidence, creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $186,500.