Drug Labs Found in Garden Grove, Anaheim; 3 Arrested

A police officer serving an arrest warrant Tuesday discovered a methamphetamine lab and seized 120 gallons of what appeared to be solution used to make the drug, police said.

About 11 a.m., an Anaheim officer serving an arrest warrant in the 11500 block of Desmond Street in Garden Grove found equipment and chemicals, said Gary Hudson, a member of a drug enforcement team for the state Department of Justice.

The solutions were stored in canisters, jars and coolers in the garage, closet and back porch of the home, which is next to the home of a Long Beach police officer. Three other retired police officers lived nearby, at least one of whom suspected “something wrong” and called investigators.

“We kept seeing strange people coming in and out of the house at odd hours . . . mostly late at night. We could tell there were just people who didn’t belong there,” said Dennis Reese, a retired Redondo Beach police officer.

Authorities were gathering evidence when the man suspected of running the lab arrived in a truck and led police officers on a short chase. Jeffrey Knapp, 39, a parolee, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine and parole violation.

Sherry Lynn Martinez, 39, also was arrested at the house.

Information from that lab led to a second lab in the 800 block of North Topeka Street in Anaheim. Scott James Baleski, 35, was arrested there.

“I’m real thrilled they found the labs,” Reese said. “We’re glad it’s out of our neighborhood. We have a nice, quiet neighborhood here.”