Police discover meth lab hidden in bathroom ceiling of Gretna motel ...

Officers called to help remove a pair of guests who had overstayed their welcome at a Gretna motel discovered a meth lab in their room. Gretna Police arrested the two occupants and a third woman who tried to trash some of the evidence, according to Deputy Chief Anthony Christiana.

Management at the Luxury Inn & Suites, 1411 Claire Ave., Gretna, called authorities Sunday just about 1:30 p.m. after Eugene Wheeler, 37, of Gretna, and Jade Marinovich, 23, of Buras, refused to check out of room No. 211. The pair was not being kicked out for any violation. They had simply stayed past their checkout time, Christiana said.

Officers arrived and noticed that Marinovich appeared to be under the influence of some sort of substance. While talking to Wheeler, officers noticed in his room several empty packages of pseudoephedrine, the nasal decongestant also used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines, Christiana said. They also spotted a digital scale and several open packages of lithium batteries.

Wheeler vaulted over the second-floor balcony to the ground and took off running when officers tried to question him about the contents of the room. They later found him hiding in a bush four blocks away at 16th Street and Huey P. Long Avenue, the arrest report said.

Meanwhile, another motel guest, Melissa Mackles, 30, of Terrytown, attempted to get

?rid of some of the evidence, Christiana said. Officers who had stayed behind to secure the room during the chase saw Mackles throwing out containers of lighter fluid, drain cleaner and other chemicals used to make crystal meth.

Christiana said Wheeler and company rented several rooms at the motel for their illegal venture. Hazardous materials crews from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Investigations Bureau handled the search of those rooms.

They located a meth lab set-up, including a propane tank and tubing, hidden in the bathroom ceiling above the bath tub in room No. 211, the arrest report said. A white, powdery substance found on the scale later tested positive for crystal meth, the arrest report said.

Wheeler, of 3320 Wall Blvd., Gretna, was booked Monday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna with creation of a clandestine lab, possession of methamphetamines, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer. Bond was set at $506,000 bond.

But Wheeler is being held without bond because he is a fugitive from another jurisdiction. No information about that case was available Tuesday.

Mackles, of 908 Ellen Court, Terrytown, was booked with creation of a clandestine lab and obstruction of justice. Bond was set at $550,000 for the charges in connection with the meth lab.

But Mackles is being held without bond because she is wanted as a fugitive out of another jurisdiction and for two counts of probation violation. She was given a deferred two-year sentence in 2010 after pleading guilty to two counts of drug possession, according to records from the 24th Judicial District Court in Jefferson Parish.

Marinovich was booked with possession of drug paraphernalia, Chrisiana said. Bond was set at $500, but she was released Monday because of crowding at the jail.

Source: http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2012/11/police_discover_meth_lab_hidde.html

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