SIX ARRESTED IN $350,000 METH-LAB BUST IN LODI

LODI -- Lodi police found more than a pound of methamphetamine and enough
chemicals to make up to 25 pounds more at a home in Lodi on Wednesday after
receiving an anonymous tip of a person buying chemicals used to make the drug.

The drug-lab bust in the 11500 block of North DeVries Road resulted in six
arrests. The 1-year-old son of one of those arrested was taken into
protective custody. If sold on the street in eighth-ounce bindles, known as
"eight balls," 25 pounds of methamphetamine is worth $350,000, said
Detective Fernando Martinez of the Lodi Police Department.

The incident started around 1 p.m. after someone reported a woman buying
chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine, Martinez said. Police, who
would not name the store or the chemical, responded to the call and pulled
over Beatriz Alvarez, 31, as she was driving near Lower Sacramento Road
south of Eight Mile Road.

Alvarez, who had her 1-year-old son in the vehicle, let the officers search
her vehicle. They found 9 gallons of the chemical.

Police then went to the DeVries Road home where she lived and asked her
husband, Delfino Gonzalez, 34, for permission to search the home, which he
gave.

Police found cold tablets dissolving in a solution and 11/2 pounds of
methamphetamine. There was enough solution to make up to 25 pounds of the
drug, Martinez said.

Also in the home were Isaias Estrada, 33, address unknown; Juan Munoz, 33,
address unknown; Armando Vargas, 45, of Compton; and Victor Sanchez, 25,
address unknown. All six were arrested on suspicion of manufacturing a
controlled substance, conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance
for sale.

The child was taken to San Joaquin General Hospital for examination to see
if he had been exposed to the chemicals. If a suitable guardian cannot be
found, he will be placed at Mary Graham Children's Shelter, Martinez said.

Police are still investigating the case and do not know how long the
alleged lab had been operating.