OFFICIALS SAY SMYRNA METH LAB SIGNIFIES A SPREADING PROBLEM

A methamphetamine laboratory discovered in a Smyrna home is Georgia's first
illegal "super lab," federal drug officials said Monday.

A super lab is one capable of producing more than 10 pounds of meth a day,
said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Sherri Strange.

More than 39 pounds of meth and 11 pounds of its highly refined crystal
form, with a combined street value of $2.8 million, was confiscated at the
Smyrna house on Wednesday, Strange said. About 250 gallons of the drug in
other forms also were confiscated,

Three illegal Mexican immigrants --- Ignacio Cortes-Valencia, Ramon
Oseguera-Alanis and Gustavo Lara Murillo --- were arrested at 200 Church
Road, Strange said. Each is charged with manufacturing and distributing meth.

The evolution from stove-top meth cooks, mostly addicts scrounging to feed
their own habit, to high-tech, well-funded labs illustrates the growing
demand for meth in Georgia, Strange said.

Environmental tests are being conducted at the Smyrna lab site to determine
the extent of contamination to surrounding residents, Strange said.