San Diego

A Pacific Beach man received a five-year suspended sentence Thursday for making methamphetamine in his condominium, but he must return for formal sentencing after a state examination to see whether he’s addicted to drugs and needs treatment.

Craig Richard Gross, 30, will return to Municipal Judge Lisa Guy-Schall’s courtroom in two or three months.

Police said they found six pounds of the illegal stimulant and many volatile chemicals used in its production at Gross’ condominium during a May 28 raid that resulted in the defendant’s arrest.

Had the chemicals ignited, authorities said, the explosion could have leveled the entire 38-unit Grand Avenue complex, one block away from Mission Bay High School.

The condo raid was conducted as the result of numerous undercover purchases of the drug that police made when neighbors complained about a foul odor that apparently was produced when Gross would cook a batch of the drug.

Christopher Blake, head of the Regency condominium complex’s homeowners association, urged Guy-Schall to impose a harsh sentence on Gross because he “put all of our lives in danger.”

Gross, who grew up in Clairemont, told the judge he was sorry for his actions then turned and apologized to several of his former neighbors in the courtroom.