Cops find methamphetamine lab in Janss Road home

By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

A 911 call for a medical emergency led to the discovery of a methamphetamine laboratory in a Thousand Oaks home.

When deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived at a home in the 900 block of Janss Road at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday to help a 24-year-old man who was unconscious, they also discovered what they thought was a clandestine drug lab inside the house, according to officers at the scene.

The man was taken to Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center, where he's being treated for exposure to a gas that's a dangerous byproduct of manufacturing methamphetamine, according to a Ventura County Sheriff's Department report.

The lab was located in a room of the house and a batch of the stimulant was being processed at the time, officers said.

The first deputies to respond to the call for help regarding a medical emergency were exposed to the chemical gas. They were rushed to the hospital and evaluated for chemical poisoning, a police report said.

Officials from the Ventura County Sheriff's narcotics methamphetamine lab crew were called in. Personnel from the Ventura County Fire Department, Ventura County Environmental Health, the city of Thousand Oaks and the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement were also on the scene to assess and dispose of the hazardous chemical found inside the house.

Sgt. Fred Bustillos of the Ventura County narcotics task force was one of the first on the scene to assess the situation.

"This is what we call a 'live cook' operation. We're here to render it safe, collect evidence and to haul it away," Bustillos said.

Law officers created a safe perimeter around the house and wore protective gear whenever they were around the exterior of the house or when they went inside. Bustillos said he expected his team to be on the scene for about 15 hours.

"Of clandestine labs, methamphetamine labs are one of the most dangerous kinds," said Capt. Ross Bofiglio, watch commander. "They have highly volatile chemicals and very dangerous fumes."

When he saw the protective gear, the Rev. Steve Peralta, pastor of United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks, started to realize what was going on. It was impossible to ignore all of the police activity across the street from his church and school.

"It was a shock for us to learn there was a meth lab in our neighborhood," Peralta said. "We thought we were safe. We didn't have a clue--there was no smell, no indication. It looked like a well-maintained, clean home."

"It's hard to tell from the outside," said Bustillos. "That's why we dearly need the public's help. If they smell odd smells or a concerned citizen has any suspicions, they should call us."