Cass County Drug Enforcement Team arrested four subjects May 22 following an investigation into methamphetamine production in the 300 block of North First Street in Cassopolis.

Officers executing a search warrant entered into an active meth lab which spilled, causing a dangerous situation for police and occupants.
Detectives executed the search warrant around 10 a.m.
Three subjects were located at the scene.
When police entered the home, a portion of a meth lab that was in production spilled some contents. Officers evacuated the home and donned protective gear to remove four pets.
Police then dismantled and removed meth-manufacturing components.
Cassopolis Fire Department was called to the scene to stand by while detectives brought out several old and recent “one-pot”-style meth labs and related material. Police also report locating finished methamphetamine.
Three subjects arrested at the scene are Matthew Mann, 43, Ivy Walters, 39, and Kala Ottinger, 21.
A fourth subject, Charles Gross, 27, was located and arrested later that evening with the assistance of a Cassopolis village police officer.  All subjects were arraigned on May 23 in Fourth District Court.

Mann was charged withconspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a meth lab, operating a meth lab near a specified place, operating a lab involving hazardous waste, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house.
Walters was charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a meth lab, operating a meth lab near a specified place, operating a lab involving hazardous waste, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a drug house and possession of marijuana.
Ottinger was charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a meth lab and disorderly person.
Gross was charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a meth lab, operating a meth lab near a specified place, operating a lab involving hazardous waste, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house.
Mann and Gross are being held on a $40,000 cash or surety bond. Ottinger is held on a $20,000 cash or surety bond.  Walters is being held on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

CCDET was assisted at the scene by the Village of Cassopolis Police Department, Cassopolis Fire Department and Cass County Animal Control.
The chemical cleanup company was called to the scene to remove hazardous waste.  This matter remains under investigation.