Crystal methamphetamine and Mexican super labs

Susan Morse:

A drug bust in Seabrook has netted the largest cache of crystal methamphetamine ever seized in New England.

The 12 pounds of crystal methamphetamine was produced in "super labs" in Mexico, said U.S. Attorney Thomas Colantuono on Thursday. It was brought from Mexico to Georgia to Seabrook for distribution in New England, an open market for methamphetamine, a highly addictive manufactured drug that gives a quick high.

Drug Enforcement Administration officers and Seabrook police arrested two men in front of Lowe's on Route 1 on Oct. 24. The meth was allegedly hidden in their motor vehicle.

The 12 pounds of meth has a wholesale value of $250,000 and a street value of at least $1.5 million, officials said Thursday.

Two other men were arrested in Lynn, Mass.

All have been indicted and are expected to appear in federal District Court on Tuesday, Dec. 12. If convicted, they face life in prison and fines of up to $4 million.

Authorities had no ages or addresses for the men, but they said they believe all are from Georgia.

Arturo Soto-Saavedra, aka Ricardo Ocampo-Garcia, and Omar Hervis, aka Omar Hebis, were arrested in Seabrook. Soto-Saavedra is a Mexican national living in Atlanta, according to a released statement from Colantuono.

José Ambriz, aka Joe Ambris, and Tyler James were arrested in Lynn, Mass.

The four arrests follow a yearlong investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and other law enforcement agencies, including Seabrook police.

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