Lake County Narcotics Agents, Mentor Police Raid Meth Lab In Mentor

Lake County Narcotics Agents and Mentor Police raided what they believe is a methamphetamine lab Friday in Mentor.

A 3-month joint undercover investigation led authorities to search 8711 East Avenue, Unit C -- a mechanic's garage that also doubled as a home, according to Sgt. Brad Kemp of the Lake County Narcotics Agency.

James Sample, who lives in the unit, and an unnamed woman were there at the time of the raid.

Authorities found several of the tools and ingredients for making meth, Kemp said, including:

• empty lithium battery casings
• drain cleaner
• a coffee grinder
• funnels
• coffee filters
• a homemade cylinder with a gauge thought to be used for meth production
• scales
• and an HCL gas generator used to turn methamphetamine oil into powder.

Authorities also found long guns, finished meth and homemade meth pipes made from light bulbs, Kemp said.

Narcotics agents think the lab was used to make methamphetamine via the shake-and-bake or one-pot method, which involves combining the ingredients in a single sealed container and shaking it to increase the pressure.

Police arrested 44-year-old Sample and charged him with making meth, manufacturing meth and possession of criminal tools. Additional charges are expected, Kemp said.

Sample was arraigned Monday morning in . Judge John Trebets set his bond at $100,000, which was not posted.