A Bakersfield man was arrested last week after Morgan Hill
police knocked on his motel door and stumbled into what they
believe is a methamphetamine lab.
Morgan Hill – A Bakersfield man was arrested last week after Morgan Hill police knocked on his motel door and stumbled into what they believe is a methamphetamine lab.
Glass beakers were strewn on the stove, a discolored paper filter covered the top of a bowl and a large bowl with colored liquid sat in the freezer, police said. Various tubing and other chemical processing equipment were also found.
Seth Koger, 24, was arrested without incident at approximately 1:45pm for manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of meth for sales. He had outstanding warrants from Bakersfield and San Jose for charges including driving on a suspended license, being under the influence of a controlled substance, trespassing and theft with bail totaling $49,000.
Koger is on probation for prior convictions in Kern County, and is also a suspect in that county in a case involving charges of domestic violence and criminal threats.
Bakersfield police warned that Koger might be staying at a Morgan Hill motel and that he might pose a danger to himself or attempt to commit “suicide by cop,” MHPD Cmdr. David Swing said, referring to when a suspect intentionally incites police to use lethal force. After calling area hotels to no avail, Det. Kevin Beilmann was able to locate Koger’s father, who said Koger was likely staying at the Budget Inn on Monterey Road.
No gun was found on Koger or in the room, Swing said.
Koger would have been within his rights to deny police access to his room had it not been for his probationary status. Officers found materials in the kitchenette that indicated Koger might be making at least one component of methamphetamine, Swing said.
The United Narcotics Enforcement Team (UNET) responded.
“It appears the items are part of a conversion lab,” Swing said.
