Norcross meth bust uncovers $44 million operation

Metro Atlanta

$44 Million meth bust at a house in Norcross

Gwinnett County police on Monday busted a meth lab set up in a Norcross house, seizing nearly a half ton of meth with a street value at more than $44 million.

Authorities in hazmat suits spent the night removing items from a suspected drug house in Norcross. DEA agents assisted Norcross and Gwinnett County police at the home.

Those agencies worked through the night and into early Tuesday morning, removing barrels of chemicals and other items from the home on Newbury Road in a neighborhood off Beaver Ruin Road.

Investigators obtained a search warrant after getting information that a large amount of methamphetamine was being produced at the home.

"This is believed to be one of the largest methamphetamine confiscations in the United States," Gwinnett police Cpl. Edwin Ritter said.

Gwinnett police requested assistance from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, Norcross police and the Gwinnett fire's hazmat team, due to the "extremely hazardous situation," Gwinnett police spokesman Edwin Ritter said.

Police worked through the night and into early Tuesday morning, removing barrels of chemicals and other items from the home on Newbury Road in a neighborhood off Beaver Ruin Road.

Authorities in hazmat suits spent the night removing items from a suspected drug house in Norcross.

It does not appear that anyone lived in the home, police officials said. The home was being strictly used for the production of methamphetamine. Police arrested Jose Galvez-Vela, 33, of Weslaco, Texas and charged him with trafficking in meth.

The home at 3355 Newbury Road in Norcross was sealed with warning labels after law enforcement agents completed an investigation Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010. Authorities in hazmat suits spent the night removing items from a suspected drug house.

Police arrested Jose Galvez-Vela, 33, of Weslaco, Texas, and charged him with trafficking in meth.

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Gwinnett County police on Monday busted a meth lab set up in a Norcross house, seizing nearly a half ton of meth with a street value at more than $44 million.

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