Man Accused of Running Drug Lab
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TUSTIN — Narcotics agents arrested a 38-year-old man after discovering drugs and a clandestine lab capable of producing about $625,000 of methamphetamine inside his Tustin home, officials said Tuesday.
Earnest Merchant was arrested Monday after a sheriff’s deputy stopped Merchant in front of his home in the 12000 block of Woodlawn Avenue, Lt. Ron Wilkerson said. A search of Merchant’s car uncovered 57 grams of methamphetamine, $280 in cash and almost 8 grams of illegal mushrooms, officials said.
A search warrant was later executed at Merchant’s home, where a drug lab housing 12 gallons of methamphetamine chemicals, glassware and an assortment of equipment used to prepare the drug were found.
Merchant was arrested on suspicion of transporting and possessing drugs and instruments with the intention to manufacture methamphetamine. He remains at Orange County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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