'SUPER' METH LAB UNCOVERED

Four Suspects Arrested In Madera County Raid.

A "super" methamphetamine lab, capable of producing an estimated $2 million
worth of the drug, was uncovered Saturday at a ranch home in northern
Madera County, authorities reported.

Sgt. Rick Hill, supervisor of the multi-agency Fresno Meth Task Force, said
chemicals, cooking equipment and other materials -- enough to manufacture
40 to 50 pounds of meth -- were found in a barn at a ranch at 19261 Avenue
18 1/2 just west of Freeway 99 between Madera and Chowchilla.

He said 12 to 15 pounds of meth, with a street value of about $250,000, was
being cooked when members of the task force, assisted by the Madera County
SWAT team and state Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement agents, raided the
property shortly after 6 a.m.

Among the material seized were 10 cases of pseudoephedrine tablets, a main
ingredient in meth manufacturing.

The SWAT team was summoned because of information that some people at the
ranch had guns. No guns were found.

Four men were arrested on a variety of drug-related charges, including
possession of methamphetamine for sale, manufacture of methamphetamine for
sale, possession of pseudoephedrine to manufacture meth and conspiracy.

One of the men, Gregorio Robles, 36, of Long Beach was arrested on
suspicion of child endangerment. Robles' 12-year-old son was turned over to
the county's Child Protective Services.

The other men were identified as Alfredo Carranza, age unknown, and Jesus
Diaz Cordova Augustine, 21, both of Long Beach; and Jose Sandoval, 24, who
listed the ranch as his home.

Hill said there are indications the ranch has been used as a meth lab for
about two years.

Investigators said they found four large pits on the property where some of
the cooking waste was being dumped. Hill added that some material also was
dumped into a nearby irrigation canal.

"We've got an environmental mess out here," he said.