LAPLACE — A local man with a history of similar actions was arrested last week for creating and operating a meth lab in LaPlace, authorities said.

David Gardner, 46, was arrested at his home Thursday on Golfview Drive following a month-long narcotics investigation, Sheriff Mike Tregre said.

“(The suspect) has history of this type of behavior,” Tregre said. “After watching him and conducting surveillance, when the time was right to move it, we moved in.”

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives began their investigation after receiving information Gardner was manufacturing methamphetamine at his residence. While conducting surveillance Thursday afternoon, Tregre said detectives saw and arrested Gardner on an unrelated outstanding warrant for cyber stalking and criminal trespassing.

“As detectives affected the arrest, they observed precursors used in the manufacture of methamphetamine in the back of Gardner’s pickup truck,” Tregre said, adding the investigation was an example of solid police work. “With this new information and information gathered during the month-long investigation, detectives sought and obtained a judicial court approved search warrant for Gardner’s residence.”

Authorities reported discovering a small amount of crystal methamphetamine, evidence of methamphetamine cooks and drug paraphernalia used in the manufacture and sale of methamphetamine.

Gardner was booked with creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory for the unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, cyber stalking and criminal trespassing.

He remains in custody in lieu of a $76,500 bond.