6 PLEAD INNOCENT IN DRUG-LAB CASE

LODI -- Six people accused of operating a large drug lab southwest of Lodi
pleaded innocent Tuesday to multiple felony charges in the Lodi branch of
San Joaquin County Superior Court.

Beatriz Alvarez, 31, Isaias Estrada, 33, Delfino Cervantez Gonzalez 34, and
Armando Sanchez Vargas, 45, each were charged with manufacturing
methamphetamine, possession of the drug for sale, conspiracy to commit a
crime, possession of methamphetamine while armed with a firearm and
possessing chemicals with the intent of using them to make methamphetamine.

The manufacturing charges against Alvarez and Gonzalez include sentencing
enhancement, alleging a child under age 16 was present.

Victor Manuel Sanchez, 25, and Juan Munoz, 33, face identical charges, with
the exception of possessing chemicals used in drug manufacturing.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 4 for the suspects, who are being
held without bail.

Lodi detectives made the arrest April 3, acting on a tip from a hardware
store clerk. Police said they found 11Ž2 pounds of methamphetamine and
30 gallons of chemicals used to make the drug with a street value in the
hundreds of thousands of dollars, Detective Dale Miller said.

Defense attorney David Atkinson, who represents Gonzalez, said Alvarez
lives in Tracy and was visiting the home at DeVries and Thornton roads when
Lodi police made their arrests.

He said Alvarez should be reunited with her 1-year-old child, who is at
Mary Graham Hall Children's Shelter.

Judge David P. Warner did not agree, however, after prosecutor Patrick
O'Hern said it appears Alvarez and her child were at the home for the three
days before the arrest.

Patrick McNeal, representing Estrada, drove from Rancho Cucamonga late
Monday to appear at Tuesday's arraignment.

He said he had previously represented other members of Estrada's family,
who pooled their tax refunds to pay for his services.