Suspected Meth Compound Raided For Fourth Time
Police Arrest At Least 16 In Large Bust, 7NEWS Reports
POSTED: 6:37 p.m. MDT September 26, 2001
UPDATED: 7:07 p.m. MDT September 26, 2001
ADAMS COUNTY, Colo. -- Authorities conducted a major drug raid Wednesday afternoon of a suspected meth lab compound in Adams County, 7NEWS reported.
At least 16 people were arrested after North Metro Drug Task Force officers joined with SWAT Team members and air support from the Colorado Air National Guard in storming the compound near 64th Avenue and Tennyson, according to 7NEWS.
This was the fourth time that the compound had been raided, police said.
Hazmat crews were on the scene Wednesday evening, decontaminating suspects and working to clean up an area that included several houses surrounded by a fortified fence. Police found people inside ranging from age 6 to 60, 7NEWS reported.
As many as five labs were located in the compound, police said.
Authorities had heard that booby traps had been set inside the compound to injure officers in the event of a raid, but no injuries were reported.
Authorities said that the dangerous, explosive chemicals that are used in meth labs were the reason why they have been so persistent in busting this particular compound. There are a number of homes in the area, and a school next door.
"Everybody in this neighborhood is now living next to a lab. Four times we've been here. (The labs are) explosive, there are dangerous gases that are given off. There's a school next door, and we will be as persistent as (the suspects) are," Lt. Lori Moriarty of the North Metro Drug Task Force said.
Violent drug dealers and a very high number of cars driving through the neighborhood to get to the compound also put area children at risk, police said.
Authorities said that this time, they don't think they'll have to come back to raid the compound again.
At least 16 people were arrested after North Metro Drug Task Force officers joined with SWAT Team members and air support from the Colorado Air National Guard in storming the compound near 64th Avenue and Tennyson, according to 7NEWS.
This was the fourth time that the compound had been raided, police said.
Hazmat crews were on the scene Wednesday evening, decontaminating suspects and working to clean up an area that included several houses surrounded by a fortified fence. Police found people inside ranging from age 6 to 60, 7NEWS reported.
As many as five labs were located in the compound, police said.
Authorities had heard that booby traps had been set inside the compound to injure officers in the event of a raid, but no injuries were reported.
Authorities said that the dangerous, explosive chemicals that are used in meth labs were the reason why they have been so persistent in busting this particular compound. There are a number of homes in the area, and a school next door.
"Everybody in this neighborhood is now living next to a lab. Four times we've been here. (The labs are) explosive, there are dangerous gases that are given off. There's a school next door, and we will be as persistent as (the suspects) are," Lt. Lori Moriarty of the North Metro Drug Task Force said.
Violent drug dealers and a very high number of cars driving through the neighborhood to get to the compound also put area children at risk, police said.
Authorities said that this time, they don't think they'll have to come back to raid the compound again.
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