Meth lab discovered after fire was reported

By Laura McKay, Staff Writer

A controlled burn led to the arrest of a Grady County couple yesterday morning, Oct. 4, for allegedly housing a meth lab.

At about 7 a.m., Jorge Ochoa-Pando, 34, began burning four 55-gallon drums of plastic-coated copper wire at his home in Bradley.

According to Sheriff’s Investigator Brian Layton, Ochoa-Pando was burning the plastic off the wire so he could be left with pure copper to sell.

Bradley and Alex fire departments were dispatched to the scene, as well as Sheriff Kieran McMullen and Sheriff’s Deputy Lieutenant Jim Peek.

According to the affidavit, Lt. Peek had received information that Ochoa-Pando was involved in the sale of methamphetamine. Lt. Peek asked Ochoa-Pando for permission to search the house for narcotics.

After consulting with his wife, Dora Maria Ochoa, 32, the couple reportedly agreed to allow Lt. Peek to search the home.

“Jim (Peek) received consent to search, at which time he located a material that field-tested positive for meth; along with guns and paraphernalia,” said Sheriff McMullen.

Lt. Peek seized approximately 5.2 grams of crystal meth, $465, three rifles, two loaded handguns, a working set of digital scales, two plastic baggies commonly used for packaging meth to sell and various other drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff McMullen and Lt. Peek also discovered seven horses on the property. The horses were reportedly malnourished and mistreated.

According to affidavit, the horses did not have adequate feed or water, and some were in need of medical care.

“We were concerned about the care of the horses,” said Sheriff McMullen. “I didn’t see any hay or feed. Some had ribs showing, some were lame and needed their hooves trimmed.”

Undersheriff Irene Perske said the animals were impounded later in the day.

The couple also lost custody of their four children. The Ochoa’s four-year-old child was present at the time of the search. According to the affidavit, the couple had three other children that were in school during the search.

All children were taken into custody by the Department of Human Services and the custody of the children has since been turned over to the state.

Both defendants were booked into the Grady County Jail yesterday, Oct. 4, on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine in the presence of a minor. In addition, Ochoa-Pando was charged with seven counts of animal cruelty.

According to Undersheriff Perske, this is the third meth lab bust this year, a number that is significantly lower than previous years. Legislation that restricts the sale of pseudoephedrine is attributed for the decrease.

Source: Chickasha Express-Star