Deputies say a group of suspected burglars told them they could recover some stolen property at that historic house. Investigators say the meth lab they uncovered there took them by surprise.
Neighbors say the two-story house on Taft Street in Cleveland is not the prettiest place on the block, even though the century-old home has an historical marker.
Father James Monroe with the Holy Cross Anglican Church said, "Well, it's just a shame that it's an historic building that's been allowed to go to rack and ruin."
Now neighbors like Father Monroe, who heads the church across the street from the old Noble Garvey house, are finding out the place is making history for another reason. It's just been tagged a drug house.
"I'm kind of stunned, if you want to know the truth," Father Monroe said.
Montgomery County Precinct 4 deputies and Cleveland police raided the run down and historic rental home early Wednesday morning. Investigators say they arrested four people after uncovering a working meth lab in one of the upstairs bedrooms.
Lt. Buck Clendennen with the Montgomery Co. Precinct 4 Constable's Office explained, "Initially when we entered the front door, you could smell. You could smell something that I would be familiar with from my experience as something similar to meth being cooked."
Deputies say the investigation all started with a traffic stop in Montgomery County. They say they found four men and women in a car with several weapons allegedly stolen during a burglary out of Harris County. Deputies say three of the suspects who live at the house in Cleveland told them more stolen property could be found there, but failed to mention the meth lab.
Father Monroe said, "The thing is a meth lab scares me to death because those things blow up."
Investigators say a total of nine people have been arrested in this case. They're facing a variety of charges including drugs, theft and probation violations.
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