Meth lab found in apartment

Published 7:26 am Monday, November 17, 2008

By Staff
NILES – Three suspects were arrested and a methamphetamine laboratory shut down in the City of Niles Friday.
On Friday, Nov. 14, at approximately 11:17 p.m., Deputies Ian Dodd and Thomas Simpson of the Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Niles Township Road Patrol went to 301 N. 17th St. Apt. No. C in the City of Niles, after receiving information that Michael Goralczyk was at that residence and that he was currently "wanted" on an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for Malicious Destruction of Property under $200.
When the officers arrived at the residence, the officers smelt a strong odor of chemicals and the officers also observed a large amount of smoke inside of the residence.
The officers also observed a methamphetamine laboratory along with components and ingredients for manufacturing methamphetamines inside of this residence.
The officers also located and detained Goralczyk, Steven Lambert, and Jason Kalebic inside of this apartment.
All three subjects were arrested and lodged at the Berrien County Jail, pending their arraignments in the Berrien County Trial Courts.
Once Deputies Ian Dodd and Thomas Simpson observed the methamphetamine laboratory inside of this residence, they contacted the Berrien County Sheriff Department's Narcotics Unit and Berrien County Sheriff Department's Methamphetamine Laboratory Technicians for assistance.
During a search of this residence, the officers located and seized some processed methamphetamines along with components and ingredients used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines.
Due to the fact that the Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Methamphetamine Laboratory Technicians were able to determine that the occupants had just completed a "Methamphetamine Cook" and that the methamphetamine laboratory was still unstable could explode and still was producing toxic gases, the Niles Township Fire Department was dispatched to the scene as a precautionary measure and to assist in the ventilation of the residence.
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Narcotics Unit also seized a 1998 Pontiac under the State of Michigan's Civil Forfeiture Law.
Assisting at the scene besides the Niles Township Fire Department was the Michigan State Police Niles Post.
A Hazardous Waste Disposal Company was also dispatched to the scene to remove and dispose of the hazardous/toxic waste, which was generated by this Methamphetame Laboratory.
Arrested were:
Jason Michael Kalebic, 29, 301 N. 17th St. Apt. No. C. Niles. His charges included:
1: Operating/Maintaining a Methamphetamine Laboratory within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
2. Operating/maintaining a Methamphetamine Laboratory.
3. Possession of Methamphetamines.
4. Maintaining a Drug House.
Michael Jerome Goralczyk, 33, address of 1806 Sycamore St. Niles. His charges included:
1: Operating/Maintaining a Methamphetamine Laboratory within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
2. Operating/maintaining a Methamphetamine Laboratory.
3. Possession of Methamphetamines.
4. Misdemeanor Warrant for Malicious Destruction of Property under $200.
Steven Cloise Lambert, Male, 29, 9572 Pixey Drive, Cromwell, Ind. His charges included:
1: Operating/Maintaining a Methamphetamine Laboratory within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
2. Operating/maintaining a Methamphetamine Laboratory.
3. Possession of Methamphetamines.