POLICE ARREST MAN SUSPECTED OF RUNNING METH LAB

Resident Also Charged With Felony Child Endangerment

UNION CITY -- A suspected methamphetamine "cooker" who allowed his
14-month-old son to walk among chemical containers and drug-caked glassware
has been charged with a half-dozen narcotics, child endangerment and
weapons' offenses, authorities said Friday.

Several thousand dollars' worth of methamphetamine and three guns were
also seized at the suspect's home, including two pistols in an
unsecured case in front of the boy's crib, the Alameda County
Narcotics Task Force said.

Three explosive devices, possibly intended as booby traps, were also
found in the residence, an apartment in the 32000 block of Brenda Way,
authorities said. The Alameda County Sheriff's Bomb Squad described
them as tubular "succession bombs" that could cause serious injury if
detonated. A flak jacket was also found at the home, as was more than
$800 in cash.

At the time of his arrest Tuesday, the suspect, Richard S. Naiker, 22,
was free on bail for possession of methamphetamine for sale following
an earlier arrest Aug. 29. Authorities said he has a prior conviction
for possessing meth.

Deputy District Attorney Paul Delucchi has charged Naiker with felony
child endangerment, operating a methamphetamine lab and possession of
methamphetamine for sale. He is also charged with possession of an
explosive device, being armed with a firearm where narcotics are
present and maintaining a place where narcotics-related activity is
occurring.

He is being held at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in lieu of $190,000
bail. Neither he nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

Also charged with possession of meth for sale were Regaldo Umale, 21,
and Silas Fong, 25, both of Hayward, who were apparently at the
residence making a buy, authorities said.

Task Force commander Lloyd Myers said authorities found a working meth
lab in the kitchen of Naiker's home and the equipment for two more
labs in a locked storage area of his carport.

Myers said Naiker was making and selling meth at his home and was also
distributing it in different parts of Southern Alameda County,
including to members of the Norteo gang, with which he is supposedly
affiliated.

Although just 44 grams of meth was found in the home and on the three
men, Myers said that based on the size of the labs, authorities
believe Naiker had the ability to "cook" up to 4 pounds of the drug at
a time.

Myers said Naiker's 14-month-old son "was allowed to walk freely"
among lab glassware caked with meth residue and containers of
chemicals used in the methamphetamine-making process.

The boy and his mother, who is seven months' pregnant, returned to the
home while the task force was there, Myers said. The boy was taken to
Children's Hospital Oakland, where an examination found him to be
clear of any toxins, authorities said.

The woman claimed she knew Naiker had a drug problem, but she denied
any knowledge of the manufacturing, authorities said.

The arrests and seizures ended a three-month investigation headed by
task force member Fraser Ritchie, a Hayward police officer. Also
participating in the investigation were the Southern Alameda County
Gang Task Force and members of the state Bureau of Narcotics
Enforcement Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Teams from San Francisco
and San Jose.