Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HOLLADAY — In what seemed like a throwback case for investigators, Unified police busted a suspected crack house on Thursday, arresting three people in the process.
Unified police served a search warrant on a home at 4825 S. Brooks Way (1500 East) on Thursday morning. The warrant was the culmination of an ongoing investigation prompted, in part, by neighbors, said Unified Police Sgt. Melody Cutler.
"The neighbors were very happy we were there. They were very good at documenting the short-stay traffic," she said.
After officers entered the home and found what is believed to be a clandestine drug lab, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Unified Fire Department hazardous materials team were also called to assist.
"They all responded and determined the items were the makings of crack cocaine. Once the scene was rendered safe, a search revealed crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana, paraphernalia and evidence to suggest the distribution of narcotics," Cutler said.
A police booking affidavit further states that in the basement of the residence, which is a rental unit, a microwave with residue was located on a bedside table.
"This residue was 'field tested' and tested positive for cocaine. A shelving unit was located next to the bedside table which was storing a small bag with a white powder substance in it. This substance was also 'field tested' and tested positive for cocaine," the affidavit states.
Investigators found additional jars with cocaine near common cooking items. The woman who was living in the apartment "admitted to using the microwave and various ingredients to manufacture and produce crack cocaine. She explained the entire process of how she makes the crack cocaine to its final form," police wrote in their affidavit.
The woman, Lisa Lyn Bangerter, 59, told police she sells crack cocaine to her roommates and others. Investigators soon learned Bangerter allegedly had a lot of customers, according to the affidavit.
"Throughout this investigation I have identified numerous visitors to this home who are on county probation, Department of Corrections parole, or federal probation. I have also identified numerous others with extensive (criminal) histories varying from drug possession to manslaughter as well as documented gang members," the arresting officer wrote in the affidavit.
The officer also noted that the house is located near a recreation center, public park and a charter school.
"I am concerned for the safety of all in the immediate community surrounding the (house)," he stated in the affidavit. "This behavior has been documented for more than the last 12 months. The process of manufacturing crack cocaine creates toxic fumes for innocent occupants of the home or visitors of those occupants."
Bangerter was arrested for investigation of operating a clandestine lab, engaging in a criminal enterprise, having clandestine lab precursors, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Two others who had outstanding warrants were also taken into custody.
Cutler said it's very rare for officers to find crack cocaine labs today, which were more common in the 1980s and 1990s. She said crack cocaine faded in popularity when meth became popular.
