Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Police suspect residence is second drug laboratory found in 1996

By Shari Kaplan

Los Gatos police last week discovered a local residence that they believe is the site of a methamphetamine laboratory.

Officers Eric Schneider and Erin Lunsford responded to a report at 3:34 p.m. on Nov. 17 from a caller who suspected drug activity was taking place in a van parked on Los Gatos Boulevard. Officers spoke with van occupants Samuel Maxwell Newsom, 38, of Los Gatos and Stacey Chrea Fabela, 26, of Gilroy and then searched the van.

According to the police report, officers discovered 10 grams of marijuana, 8 grams of methamphetamine, a digital gram scale, packaging material often used in the sale of drugs and a police radio scanner in the van. Both individuals were booked at the Santa Clara County Jail.

After further investigation and contact with the Santa Clara County Special Enforcement Team, Los Gatos police and SCCSET officers served a search warrant that night at Newsom's residence at 16332 E. La Chiquita Ave. LGPD Sgt. Tricia Friedrich said the officers discovered a small quantity of methamphetamine drying in a closet, along with equipment that could be used in a methamphetamine laboratory.

The county District Attorney's Office has issued charges against Newsom for the manufacture of controlled substances and charged both him and Fabela for possession of methamphetamine for sale. They are scheduled to appear in court Dec. 2 for arraignment.

Friedrich said the extent of drug manufacturing at the residence is not yet known, and the investigation is continuing. The Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement and toxic cleanup workers came to the residence to search, clean and gather any drugs or related materials.

This is the second time less than five months that a suspected methamphetamine lab has been discovered in Los Gatos. On July 20, police responded to an explosion in a home at 16171 Sunray Drive and discovered evidence of a clandestine lab. Three individuals associated with the Sunray house were eventually arrested on charges of manufacture of a controlled substance and possession for sale of a controlled substance--methamphetamine.