Leelanau Co. Suspected Meth Lab Discovered, Two Arrested

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The very first meth lab discovered in the history of a Northern Michigan county and people there hope it’s the last.

Police arrested two people for cooking meth in a Leelanau County neighborhood.

A drug team had been watching the suspects for some time and police made their move yesterday.

The meth lab investigation is still underway in Centerville Township.

A second house is also being investigated in connection with the lab.

“Never before up in this area,” said Jim Balesh, Leelanau County resident who lives next door to the house busted for possessing a meth lab. “This is all new to us.”

It’s the first time something like this has ever happened in this quiet country neighborhood.

For Jim Balesh and his Leelanau County neighbors the meth discovery is shocking.

“Very quiet and everybody knows everybody around here,” Balesh said.”It’s like one big happy family in this area so it’s quite surprising that something like this could happen.”

Yesterday morning — police searched this home and found a large meth lab inside, along with a large amount of marijuana.

“We just never thought it would happen around here,” Balesh said. “Cedar area is supposed to be the lowest crime rate in the nation. To have something like this pop up so close to home is quite surprising.”

The sheriff says the fact that this has never before happened in this county is not something missed by him.

“This is very unusual,” said Mike Borkovich, Leelanau County Sheriff.”This is the first meth house we are aware of, at least that we’ve contacted here in Leelanau county.”

While it is unusual — police take it very seriously.

They don’t want this to become routine.

“We’re not going to tolerate it here, frankly,” Borkovich said.”There’s no humor in this for us. It’s a lot of work on our part but we want to save their lives as well as those they affect.”

With two people arrested, police continue investigating… And people in the area want this to be the end of meth in Leelanau County.

“Hopefully we’ll never see something like this again,” Balesh said.