2 More Meth Labs Discovered in Lumpkin County

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Sheriff Stacy Jarrard

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Law enforcement officials discovered two more methamphetamine labs in Lumpkin County Tuesday capable of producing millions of dollars in crystal meth. The discovery dismantled a major criminal organization and has sent at least one member of the organization on the run.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said it all started with a drug bust last Friday that uncovered a huge meth lab in Suches and led to the arrest of five Hispanic males.

That investigation led agents with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI and FBI to 289 Iberian Road in Dahlonega where they located a suspected meth lab that had been completely consumed by fire. The fire is being investigated by the Fire Marshall’s Office as a case of arson.

Agents then executed a second search warrant the same day at 126 Antique Way where they discovered another suspected meth lab. Lab equipment found at that location was consistent with the one found last week in Suches. They also located seven empty 55-gallon drums, three of which tested positive for methamphetamine, along with two AR-15 rifles, a pistol grip shotgun and a handgun.

Clara Catarino Mendoza

Both the Lumpkin County properties are linked to Clara Catarino Mendoza, 32, an Hispanic female, 5’1” tall, weighing 125 pounds. Agents believe that Mendoza fled with her two juvenile children. Arrest warrants have been issued on Mendoza for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine. She is believed to be driving either a 2006 yellow H2 hummer, Georgia tag PYX 5020, a 2003 gray Ford Superduty Truck, Georgia tag PKM 9409 or a White BMW 4 door sedan (exact model and tag unknown). If anybody sees Mendoza or has any information on her please call the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office at 706-864- 3633, the GBI at 1-800- 597-8477, the FBI at 1-800- 225-5324 or your local police department or sheriff’s office.

“I want to thank all the agencies involved in this endeavor to get this dangerous organization dismantled in our community,” Jarrard said. “As always, we are proud to have such good working relations with the FBI, GBI, Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, as well as our hard working Lumpkin County Sheriff Deputies.”

 

 

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