Police Raid Major Methamphetamine Lab, Jail Owner : Drugs: Investigators say arrests in park led to seizure in small industrial complex with a street value of $1.4 million.

PLACENTIA — Police on Saturday said they have uncovered one of the county’s biggest-ever methamphetamine labs. One suspect was taken into custody.

The lab, at 719 Dunn Way, contained methamphetamine, chemicals and drug-manufacturing equipment with an estimated street value of $1.4 million, according to Police Department spokeswoman Corinne Loomis.

“To our knowledge, this is something quite rare for the county, not to mention Placentia,” Loomis said.

Police arrested a 63-year-old man who they said is the owner of the lab, situated in a small industrial complex in the southwest corner of the city.

The man was being held in the city jail on Saturday night on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotics for sale. Police declined to release the man’s name pending further investigation.

Police began their probe on Thursday when they came upon a man and a woman injecting themselves with drugs in a public park. They arrested the couple, and the woman led police to a motel room at the Fairfield Inn, 710 W. Kimberly Ave., Placentia, authorities said.

Police said they discovered that the room had been rented for several months by the drug lab suspect. He had several outstanding traffic warrants and was on probation for possession of drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

Police obtained a warrant and searched the motel room on Saturday. They found 15 quarter-gram methamphetamine rocks, $4,500 in cash and books detailing the manufacturing of methamphetamine, Loomis said.

Police arrested the man, who had been renting the room. He listed the address of the lab as his place of business.

When officers arrived at the lab at about 10 a.m. Saturday, they saw glass beakers and chemicals through the windows and detected a faint chemical smell. Inside, they discovered lab equipment, refrigerators and chemicals used in the making of methamphetamine and PCP, Loomis said.