Pubdate: Wed, 11 Apr 2001
Source: Record, The (CA)
Copyright: 2001 The Record
Contact:  http://www.recordnet.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/428
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n600/a06.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

6 PLEAD INNOCENT IN DRUG-LAB CASE

LODI -- Six people accused of operating a large drug lab southwest of Lodi 
pleaded innocent Tuesday to multiple felony charges in the Lodi branch of 
San Joaquin County Superior Court.

Beatriz Alvarez, 31, Isaias Estrada, 33, Delfino Cervantez Gonzalez 34, and 
Armando Sanchez Vargas, 45, each were charged with manufacturing 
methamphetamine, possession of the drug for sale, conspiracy to commit a 
crime, possession of methamphetamine while armed with a firearm and 
possessing chemicals with the intent of using them to make methamphetamine.

The manufacturing charges against Alvarez and Gonzalez include sentencing 
enhancement, alleging a child under age 16 was present.

Victor Manuel Sanchez, 25, and Juan Munoz, 33, face identical charges, with 
the exception of possessing chemicals used in drug manufacturing.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 4 for the suspects, who are being 
held without bail.

Lodi detectives made the arrest April 3, acting on a tip from a hardware 
store clerk. Police said they found 11Ž2 pounds of methamphetamine and 
30 gallons of chemicals used to make the drug with a street value in the 
hundreds of thousands of dollars, Detective Dale Miller said.

Defense attorney David Atkinson, who represents Gonzalez, said Alvarez 
lives in Tracy and was visiting the home at DeVries and Thornton roads when 
Lodi police made their arrests.

He said Alvarez should be reunited with her 1-year-old child, who is at 
Mary Graham Hall Children's Shelter.

Judge David P. Warner did not agree, however, after prosecutor Patrick 
O'Hern said it appears Alvarez and her child were at the home for the three 
days before the arrest.

Patrick McNeal, representing Estrada, drove from Rancho Cucamonga late 
Monday to appear at Tuesday's arraignment.

He said he had previously represented other members of Estrada's family, 
who pooled their tax refunds to pay for his services.
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