State DOJ Agents Seize Large Meth Lab in Sonoma County, Shut Down Major Drug Producing Operation

Other buildings on compound near Healdsburg housed sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation and a lab that produced key ingredients used in the production of methamphetamine

Friday, March 15, 2002
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

(Bay Area, CA) – Special Agents from Attorney General Bill Lockyer's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), working with agents and officers from federal and local law enforcement agencies, served a number of search warrants, seized an illegal drug laboratory on property outside Healdsburg yesterday, and in the process, shut down a major methamphetamine production operation.

The methamphetamine lab was in full operation, producing approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine and spewing dangerous toxic fumes, when it was seized by agents and officers serving a search warrant at 4741 Mill Creek Road, a compound in a remote area outside Healdsburg. When the agents and officers searched other buildings on the 11-acre compound, they discovered a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation with computer controlled moving track lights that were used to heat the plants. They also discovered a lab that was producing key chemical ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Robert Wayne Hall, 53, and wife Nancy Ruth Hall, 51, were arrested at the property, where they resided, and face charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession for sale of controlled substance, and cultivation of marijuana. Evidence indicated that methamphetamine had been produced many times at that location, and that over a period of several years, the amount of chemicals purchased by Robert and Nancy Hall, and brother Randall Hall could have produced more than 7,000 pounds of methamphetamine worth $70 million.

Also seized at the compound were 35 firearms, including illegal assault weapons with silencers, $50,000 in cash, approximately 1½ pounds of methamphetamine, chemicals that could produce about 30 pounds of methamphetamine, and two Mustang Cobra convertibles. The compound was equipped with an alarm system that included motion detectors.

Randall Hall, 50, and wife Sandra Hall, 49, were arrested at their residence, 5900 Rose Arbor Drive, in San Pablo, where a small amount of methamphetamine and $14,000 in cash was seized. Both face charges of conspiracy and possession for sale of controlled substance.

Jessie Salcido, 23, and Teresa Lee, 41, were arrested at 425 Edward Street in Crockett, at a residence owned by Nancy Hall, where a small amount of methamphetamine, one assault rifle, and a grenade launcher were seized. Salcido faces charges of possession for sale of controlled substance, and possession of assault weapon. Lee faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia. Salcido and Lee were living in the residence.

A search of Robert Hall's business, Bayview Recording Studio in Richmond, failed to reveal any contraband. Robert and Nancy Hall were prolific gamblers and had accumulated losses of more than $700,000 in the last five years.

The BNE was working with the West Contra Costa Narcotic Enforcement Team (WESTNET) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for six months on this case, and were assisted by the Sonoma County Narcotic Task Force, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department, the Healdsburg Police Department, the Petaluma Police Department, and the North Bay HEAT Computer Task Force.

All suspects are being held at the Contra Costa County Jail. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office worked closely with the law enforcement agencies during the course of this case, and will prosecute all suspects.

For additional information on this case, contact Bob Elsberg, Senior Special Agent in Charge, California Department of Justice Bureau Of Narcotic Enforcement San Francisco Regional Office, at 415-351-3374, or Robert Kochly, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Contra Costa County, at (925) 646-4559.

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