Drug unit busts another suspected meth lab

WILLOW — A Willow man was arrested after Palmer probation officers doing a routine house visit last week found hundreds of matchbook striker plates and other items associated with methamphetamine production, according to Alaska State Troopers.

The probation officers told troopers they found the striker plates and several two-stage liquid jars lying out in the open after they entered the home of David Legalley, 41, of Willow, on the night of Thursday, Aug. 12.

The jars and striker plates are telltale items associated with the production of methamphetamine, according to Mike Ingram of the Mat-Su Drug Team.

The probation officers contacted the Mat-Su Drug Unit and investigators seized the items from the residence. Ingram said Legalley was not operating a full lab but was hired to extract materials used to produce methamphetamine.

Legalley’s residence was part of a multi-location meth lab, Ingram said. Legalley told investigators he was planning to move the extracted materials to another location.

Legalley was arrested for violation of probation and will be charged with two counts of second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance and one count of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Legalley was released on bail early Friday, Aug. 13 and his arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 17.

The bust comes at a time when the number of clandestine methamphetamine labs is rising sharply both here in the Valley and across the country.

In 2002, a total of 32 clandestine methamphetamine labs were discovered in the state, according to the Alaska State Troopers’ 2002 Drug Report.

Trooper Kyle Young of the Mat-Su Drug Team said there have been more than 30 methamphetamine labs discovered in the Valley alone so far this year.