Operators of Raided Drug Laboratory Being Sought
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were searching Monday for the operators of a clandestine drug laboratory in Lawndale that was raided last weekend in what is believed to be one of the biggest seizures of its kind in county history.
The laboratory, which was in a two-bedroom rental house on the 14700 block of Avis Avenue, was discovered Saturday afternoon by Los Angeles County firefighters responding to reports of smoke coming from the home, said Deputy Gabe Ramirez. The residence was empty when firefighters arrived to find a smoldering fire in the laboratory.
About 40 residents were evacuated from their homes over the weekend while hazardous materials experts dismantled the laboratory, which officials say was equipped to produce more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine a week, valued at more than $1 million.
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