Police say they busted a home-based lab cooking a batch of methamphetamine early Monday, just across the street from Augustana Lutheran Church downtown on University Avenue. The alleged meth factory at 523 University Ave. also is across another street from the Knights of Columbus club.
Kimberly Cadreau, 46, appeared Monday in state district court in Grand Forks on charges of making and possessing meth in her home.
Because Cadreau was convicted in 1997 of delivering meth, state law requires a mandatory minimum of five years in prison if she's convicted on the manufacturing charge, prosecutor Tom Falck, an assistant state's attorney for Grand Forks County, told District Judge Karen Braaten.
The meth manufacturing charge is a Class A felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The possession charge is a Class C felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Braaten set bond for Cadreau at $8,000 at her initial appearance; she remains in the Grand Forks County jail.
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Police said they got a call about 1 a.m. Monday about a suspicious, ammonia-like smell coming from the downstairs apartment. Officers found several people standing outside the building, including Cadreau, who lives in the apartment; they also determined the ammonia-like smell was that typical of meth-making, and observed a haze inside the house.
They were told everyone may not be out of the house. Firefighters and an ambulance were called to the scene.
The Grand Forks Narcotics Task Force was called in to take over the investigation. According to Police Lt. Rahn Farder, officers found several items in the apartment commonly used in making meth: anhydrous ammonia, rubber tubing, Coleman fuel, acid from drain cleaner and batteries.
Police said meth was being made at the time they were called to the scene.
Missing is a man thought to have been with Cadreau in the apartment, but who left before police arrived. Police want to question him, Farder said.
He's Jamie Lee Jacobson, described as a white man, age 35, 6'1", 190 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information should call Grand Forks police at (701) 787-8000.
Cadreau's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 26.
