Law enforcement uncovers largest meth lab in county history (Kansas)
Police make BIG weekend bust
Detectives with the Drug Enforcement Unit uncovered the largest suspected methamphetamine production operation in Reno County history Saturday near the intersection of 69th and Plum. The operation was so large that the suspected 'cooks' used 5-gallon buckets and stirred the solution with a boat oar. Photo courtesy of Hutchinson/Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit.
A weekend raid by law enforcement uncovered what police and prosecutors call the largest methamphetamine production operation in Reno County history.
Detectives with the Hutchinson/Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit responded to the smell of anhydrous ammonia around 10:30 p.m. Saturday in an area near 69th and Plum, just north of Hutchinson.
Pasquinel T. Kunde, 26, Nicholas Petty, 50, and John Beal, 45, were arrested in a dilapidated house at 604 East 69th. The trio was taken to the Reno County Jail on suspicion of several meth-making crimes.
"There might be people out there who are making a higher quantity," DEU chief Howard Shipley said, "but in terms of sheer production, this is the largest I've ever seen."
The operation was so large, Shipley noted, that the suspects mixed their chemical concoction in a five-gallon bucket and stirred the solution with a boat oar.
It appeared the three recently cooked a batch when officers arrived, Shipley said.
"... They were producing multiple-ounce quantities," he said. "Whether they were making as little as a couple of ounces or as much as a pound depends on how good the cook is."
The bust was part of a "knock and talk," when officers approach a residence and speak with the home's occupants.
Petty conceded to a search of the residence, police reports show, and officers found the meth lab inside a shed.
Beal, who has several prior drug convictions - including a 2001 meth manufacturing case that was overturned by the Court of Appeals - allegedly hid under a bed near a gun before detectives found him.
During the three men's first appearances in court Monday, Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton asked that Beal's bond be raised to $500,000. Magistrate Judge Joe McCarville agreed.
"I've been doing this for 15 years," Stanton said, "and it was the biggest anhydrous lab I've ever seen."
http://www.hutchnews.com/news/local/stories/meth022806.html
posted by Kim | 4:35 PM
2 Comments:
Pasquinel T. Kunde died April 25th, 2008 of a gun shot wound. I was actually searching for a story in the paper about his death and came across this sad tale. I was related to him and knew him as a very intelligent kid, out-going and friendly. A person that loved his family. I don't know how or when he got involved with meth but real sad he did.
I didn't want this story to be the only thing that would populate the internet searches on Pasquinel. He was a good kid and his life came to a sad end.
He was loved and will be missed by his family.
I too had heard that something had happened to him and was looking for a story. He was a very bright young man who obviously made a very tragic mistake in life. My heart goes out to his mom, dad, sister and extended family.
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