Kalamazoo, MI: Local law enforcement resources are becoming increasingly strained due to a recent surge in methamphetamine labs, especially those involving the “One-Pot” (aka: Shake and Bake) cook process. The “One Pot” method is a new process that only takes 30-45 minutes to make meth and is very simple to follow. This trend is expected to increase even more as the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team’s (KVET) Meth Coordinator continues to provide awareness training to police and other first responders throughout Kalamazoo County. With less than three months into 2008, KVET has assisted in the seizure of 17 meth labs in comparison to 27 in the entire year of 2007. Following is a list of cases generated in the past week, along with related information:
On March 26, 2008, KVET served a search warrant at a mobile home park in the 200 blk of East D Ave., which resulted in the seizure of components and chemicals of a meth One Pot lab, along with finished meth product. Charges are being pursued on two Kalamazoo women for Operating and Maintaining a Meth Lab and Possession of Meth. Several weeks prior to KVET conducting the raid, Child Protective Services had removed two children (ages one and three) from the home as the mother reportedly overdosed on meth and possibly had a heart attack.
On March 26, 2008, KVET received a tip that a known meth cook was going to be manufacturing meth in the 5600 blk of Josephine Street. During a search of the property, investigators located marijuana grow operation that yielded a total of 200 marijuana plants and components of a Red Phosphorus Meth Lab (aka: Red Pea Lab). Red Pea labs are extremely volatile and dangerous. Charges are pending on a Kalamazoo County woman for Cultivating Marijuana and Operating and Maintaining a Meth Lab.
On March 27, 2008, (last night) at approximately 1145 p.m., Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Rafael Diaz stopped a car in the 100 blk of N. Westnedge Ave. Officers observed pseudoephedrine product in the car and smelled a strong chemical odor, which lead to the seizure of ingredients, cooking items, and chemicals used in the production of meth. Three people were arrested; a Kalamazoo County woman for two outstanding warrant, a Allegan County man was arrested for a parole violation warrant, and a Allegan County man for Operating and Maintaining a Meth Lab and for Obstructing Police.
Interview of the suspects lead officers to meth lab in an apartment building in the 1400 blk of Banbury Road at approximately 3 a.m. on March 28, 2008 (four hours after the traffic stop). Officers located a male Kalamazoo resident in the basement in the process of manufacturing meth near the building’s heating unit. This man was arrested for Operating and Maintaining a Meth Lab, Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana, and on an outstanding warrant. He stated that he has been manufacturing meth for approximately one year after being taught how to do so by 33 year old Kalamazoo resident Peter Alvin Keaton. Keaton is well-known to KVET as he has been caught with several meth labs in recent months and KVET just happened to received a three-count signed warrant for him today (3/28/08) for three labs he was caught with. Additionally, KVET has two more meth lab warrants for Keaton pending authorization along with a two-count meth lab warrant pending for his girlfriend.
Peter Alvin Keaton’s Labs:
(Pictures of Keaton; one recent and the other approximately year prior, demonstrating the physiological effects of this life threatening addiction)
• 11/5/07 KVET served a search warrant in the 2700 blk of Whittier. During the search officers located evidence of a One Pot meth lab.
• 1/2/08 Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers and KVET, responded to the 3700 blk of Easy St. in reference to a suspicious odor. During the investigation, officers discovered a One Pot meth lab.
• 1/15/08 KVET was in the 3700 blk of E. Cork, officers discovered a One Pot meth lab, which was in the process of producing meth.
• 2/18/08 Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers and KVET responded to the 1000 blk of E. Cork in reference to a backpack containing components of a One Pot meth lab. Keaton confessed that the items were his.
• 2/27/08 Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Deputies stop a car in the area of East ML Ave. and Sprinkle Rd. where they located a One Pot (“Shake and Bake”) meth lab as well as finished meth product.
• 3/23/08 (Easter Morning) Kalamazoo Public Safety Officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the 2100 blk of Adelaide St. Upon seeing the officers, Keaton threw a glass jar of toxic chemicals out of his car and the jar of chemicals burst into flames upon contact with the roadway, while Keaton unsuccessfully tried to flee. Officers located a One Pot meth lab in the car. KVET responded and conducted hazardous clean-up.
Anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity is urged to contact KVET at 269-337-8880, Silent Observer at 269-343-2100 or www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com
Just like the All Positive Options web-site predicted over a year and a half ago in their site's meth section - small labs would decrease, more Mexican and imported meth would start coming in, and then small labs would make a comeback. They were dead-on about that and everything else to do with meth. I can't believe that we were told what was going to happen but didn't listen.
Posted by: Lorne | April 02, 2008 at 09:30 AM