By David Vitrano
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – On Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 4:30 p.m., St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives seized an active mobile methamphetamine laboratory found in a car in Reserve.
Based on information received and a prior narcotics investigation involving the driver, narcotics detectives conducted an investigative stop on the driver of the car. Detectives recovered an active one-pot methamphetamine lab. The one-pot, or shake and bake, method of producing the drug has seen growing prominence in recent years.
Detectives arrested the driver, Steven Keller, 40, of NW Fourth Street in Reserve.
Narcotics detectives also recovered from the car plastic bags containing methamphetamine residue, a digital scale, a coffee filter containing methamphetamine residue, approximately two grams of methamphetamine, 51 grams of pseudoephedrine and two Oxycodone pills.
A hazardous chemical company neutralized the methamphetamine laboratory and made the vehicle safe.
Keller was booked with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of ephedrine product, distribution/manufacture of schedule II CDS, two counts of possession of schedule II CDS, creation/operation of a clandestine laboratory and creation/operation of a clandestine laboratory within 1,000 feet of school property.
Keller remains in custody in lieu of a $101,500.00 bond.
Keller was arrested four times in St. John the Baptist Parish since March 2013. In March, Keller was booked with creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory (purchase or possession of materials), creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory (transportation of materials), possession of schedule II CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia.