Drug, Weapons, Cash Confiscated : Task Force Busts North Park Methamphetamine Lab

An investigation by the San Diego Narcotics Task Force culminated late Thursday in the seizure of a methamphetamine laboratory, about $1.5 million worth of the drug, $175,000 in cash, 30 weapons and an electronic surveillance system at the North Park home of a psychologist, authorities said.

Using a federal search warrant, narcotics agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the arrest of Douglas E. Waite, 45, at his house in the 3000 block of Vancouver Street.

Waite, a practicing clinical psychologist, was booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center and was arraigned Friday before a federal magistrate on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and manufacturing methamphetamine.

Perry Bryant, a special agent with the task force, said a sensing device in Waite’s front door would activate a television camera when someone approached the house, allowing someone inside to monitor the exterior on television.

He said 100 pounds of chemicals used to make the drug and 15 pounds of the drug were confiscated.

Sheriff’s Lt. Alan Fulmer, commander of the task force, said the laboratory could produce 10 pounds of methamphetamine a day.

He said weapons seized included handguns, rifles and semi-automatic and fully automatic weapons. Also seized were a 1977 Mercedes-Benz car and a late-model motorcycle.

Waite was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest, Fulmer said.