FOSTER PARK : Authorities Seek Portable Meth Lab’s Operators

Sheriff’s officials still are seeking the operators of a portable methamphetamine lab after discovering the lab and chemicals used to make methamphetamine in a camper in the Foster Park area while serving an eviction notice.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Pentis said no traces of the drug itself were found in the camper parked in the 7700 block of Santa Ana Road, but the lab could produce about two to three ounces of pure methamphetamine--worth $3,000 to $4,000--every three days.

“Finding these labs is one of the hardest things for us to do,” Pentis said. “They’ll just cook up a batch out on a ranch in one weekend and then move. The labs can be boxed up in no time.”

Pentis said officers had a note from the property owner’s lawyer warning them of a possible meth lab, and chemical odors led them to the camper. The tenants were not present when the lab was found Wednesday evening.

The Ventura County Fire Department’s hazardous materials team assisted with removal of bottles of chemicals, flasks, beakers and tubing for several hours Wednesday night and Thursday.

Two weeks ago, the county’s narcotics unit found a meth lab--including the finished product--in Thousand Oaks. Pentis said such discoveries are increasing in Ventura County.

“Methamphetamine is taking over Southern California” as the addictive drug of choice, he said.