Possible meth lab found in metal building
Photo by BILL CLOUGH • David Gainer Jr., 29, of Victoria is detained by members of the Sheriff's Office SWAT team following an early morning raid of a suspected meth lab Friday.
By BY LESLIE WILBER - LWILBER@VICAD.COM
Originally published November 20, 2009 at 12:33 p.m., updated November 21, 2009 at 10:35 p.m.
A SWAT team found a sleeping couple and a suspected meth lab when they raided a Victoria County home Friday morning.
"They never even got out of bed," said Sheriff T. Michael O'Connor of the couple, who were detained.
The metal building at 281 Oliver Road was under investigation for a long time before Friday, O'Connor said.
The man and woman, identified as Kara Sierakowski, 22, and David Gainer Jr., 29, both of Victoria, were detained, O'Connor said.
They were charged late Friday with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession and transport of a chemical with intent to manufacture, he said.
A crew from the Drug Enforcement Administration determined methamphetamines were being made in the small metal building, O'Connor said. The vapors were at toxic levels in the room where the drugs were being cooked, he said.
Officers remained at the house throughout the day to investigate.
Along with a borrowed Winnebago filled with SWAT team members and undercover cars driven by federal officers, O'Connor brought journalists to the Friday morning operation. The sheriff said he wanted to give the public a glimpse of tax dollars at work.
"If anything, I want people to feel good that we're on top of things," O'Connor said.
Several agencies, including the sheriff's office, the Victoria Police Department, the ATF, the DEA and federal marshals participated in the operation.
