Deputies in Ascension Parish claim that some kind of tip led them to believe that a 28-year-old man was manufacturing methamphetamine at a location in Gonzalez. Law enforcement apparently obtained a search warrant for the location. Three people were taken into custody on suspicion of a string of drug crimes related to the investigation.
Deputies raided the Gonzalez location and claim that they found items consistent with a methamphetamine lab, as well as products that may be used in the production of meth. Apparently, three people were present at the location when deputies executed the search warrant. Three people were arrested on suspicion of drug crimes. In addition to the meth lab allegations, each of the three taken into custody is facing other drug charges, including allegations of marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.
A search warrant is an important protection mandated in many types of probes under the Constitution (some exceptions to the warrant requirement have been noted in case law). A search of a residence is particularly protected under constitutional principles. But it is also vital to note that a criminal defense lawyer may want to review the reliability of the underlying information and procedures used in obtaining a search warrant when one has been used.
Essentially a search warrant is obtained after law enforcement convinces a judge or magistrate that probable cause exists that a crime or evidence of a crime may be found at a particular location. So-called “tips” may often be used in such an inquiry, but to be valid a warrant application generally must be based upon reliable information.
Source: The Advocate, ” 3 arrested after discovery of Gonzales meth lab,” Jan. 2, 2013