Operating a Meth Lab

The hit TV series “Breaking Bad” gave viewers a glimpse into the underworld of meth and operating a meth lab.  The entire enterprise is wrought with danger and Texas laws dealing with meth labs and drug manufacturing are severe.  However, people caught in the crosshairs of the law are oftentimes not your typical drug dealers or meth users.  Law abiding landlords and property owners can find themselves arrested for operating a meth lab in Montgomery County without any knowledge of what was happening on their property. Regardless, these cases are investigated aggressively and prosecuted with precision and a robust defense is critical to proving your innocence. 

For more than 25 years, Andrea M. Kolski has defended individuals charged with serious drug offenses throughout Montgomery County and the surrounding region. Her extensive criminal law background, including years spent as a Harris County prosecutor, gives her the insight and experience necessary to navigate the high stakes environment of meth lab litigation. Countless clients have trusted their lives to Andrea and her team for their skill, experience, and unwavering defense of the accused.  Andrea’s reputation for careful examination of evidence, challenging prosecution assumptions, and building compelling defense strategies have time and again protected clients rights, freedom, and future. 

Operating a Meth Lab and Texas Law 

Texas laws governing methamphetamine production fall primarily under the Texas Controlled Substances Act within the Texas Health and Safety Code. Methamphetamine is classified under Penalty Group 1, which includes some of the most tightly regulated and most severely punished controlled substances under state law. 

Operating a meth lab often involves charges associated with: 

• Manufacture of a controlled substance under Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 

• Possession of certain chemical precursors under § 481.124 

• Possession of equipment used to manufacture controlled substances 

• Endangering a child or reckless endangerment when minors or hazardous environments are involved 

• Possession with intent to deliver, depending on the facts of the case 

Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 makes it illegal to knowingly manufacture methamphetamine. Because meth is a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, even small amounts can trigger severe felony penalties. When the amount allegedly manufactured reaches certain weight thresholds, the offense becomes punishable by decades in prison or even a life sentence. 

Operating a meth lab can also expose a defendant to additional charges related to the presence of hazardous waste, proximity to schools, or the alleged intent to distribute. The more complex the allegations, the more aggressively prosecutors tend to pursue the case. 

Investigating Meth Labs in Montgomery County 

Meth lab investigations are more involved than typical drug possession cases. These investigations often involve specialized narcotics units, multi agency task forces, and advanced forensic testing. Investigative methods may include: 

• Surveillance by undercover officers 

• Use of confidential informants 

• Monitoring purchases of precursor chemicals 

• Analysis of household items associated with meth production 

• Search warrants supported by affidavits referencing chemical odors, suspicious activity, or observed paraphernalia 

• Federal involvement from agencies such as the DEA when large scale operations are suspected 

Meth production also poses significant environmental hazards, so law enforcement agencies typically respond quickly when a suspected lab is identified. This urgency can lead to procedural errors, unsupported search warrants, unlawful entry, or assumptions not backed by reliable evidence. 

A skilled defense attorney can examine each step of the investigation to determine whether law enforcement violated constitutional protections or relied on flawed reasoning. In meth lab cases, evidence suppression can dramatically alter the outcome and may even result in dismissal when critical evidence is excluded. 

Legal Punishments for Meth Lab Operations 

Penalties for methamphetamine manufacturing are among the harshest in the Texas criminal justice system. Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.112 outlines escalating punishment ranges based on the weight of the substance. 

For Penalty Group 1 substances such as methamphetamine: 

• Less than one gram: State jail felony 

• One to four grams: Second degree felony 

• Four to two hundred grams: First degree felony 

• More than two hundred grams: Enhanced first degree felony with potential for a sentence up to life in prison 

Operating a meth lab often triggers the highest end of these sentencing ranges because manufacturing inherently involves quantities, materials, or conditions suggesting large scale production. Enhancements can apply when: 

• Children are present or exposed to the environment 

• Weapons are found at the scene 

• Prior drug convictions exist 

• The lab is located near a school, park, or similar protected area 

In addition to prison time, fines can reach $100,000 or more depending on the charge level. Judges may impose community supervision in rare instances, but meth lab cases often result in incarceration due to the perceived public danger associated with the activity. 

Defending Against Meth Lab Charges 

Every meth lab case requires a defense crafted around the facts, evidence, and procedural history of the investigation. Some of the most effective defense approaches include: 

Challenging Search Warrants 

Many meth lab cases rely heavily on search warrants. If the affidavit supporting the warrant lacked probable cause or contained incorrect assumptions, the resulting evidence may be excluded. 

Questioning Possession or Control 

Being present near chemicals or equipment does not automatically prove that a person operated a meth lab. Defense counsel can challenge whether the defendant knowingly exercised control over the substances or materials in question. 

Attacking Forensic Evidence 

Lab analysis must follow strict standards. Contamination, chain of custody problems, and misidentified substances can weaken the prosecution’s argument. 

Disputing Intent to Manufacture 

Possession of chemicals, even those used in meth production, is not necessarily evidence of manufacturing. Many chemicals have legitimate uses. Prosecutors must show intent, not just opportunity. 

Investigating Informants 

Confidential informants often provide unreliable or incentivized testimony. Their statements may be challenged for accuracy, motive, or consistency. 

A seasoned defense attorney identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and uses them to negotiate reduced charges, alternative sentencing, or in the best cases, dismissals or acquittals. 

An Experienced Defense Attorney is Key  

Operating a meth lab charges carry some of the most severe penalties under Texas law. The complexity of investigations and the harshness of potential consequences mean that individuals facing these allegations cannot afford inexperienced representation. 

An experienced attorney can: 

• Protect constitutional rights from improper searches 

• Challenge unreliable forensic or investigative methods 

• Prevent prosecutors from overstating the scope or intent of the alleged operation 

• Negotiate effectively using knowledge of local court practices 

• Prepare for trial with strong cross examination and evidence presentation strategies 

When your freedom, livelihood, and future are on the line, the attorney you choose matters. 

Why Trust Andrea Kolski To Represent You 

Defense attorney Andrea M. Kolski brings unmatched depth of experience to meth lab defense in Montgomery County. With over 25 years dedicated to criminal law, she has handled some of the most complex drug cases in Texas. Her unique background includes years as a Harris County prosecutor, where she gained insight into how law enforcement constructs manufacturing cases and how prosecutors evaluate evidence. 

Andrea served as president of the Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, a role that underscores her professional reputation and the respect she commands among fellow attorneys and judges. 

Clients and colleagues frequently describe Andrea as a “pit bull in the courtroom,” and her reputation for relentless advocacy, meticulous preparation, and unwavering dedication to her clients’ defense.  

Andrea and her family are long-time residents of Montgomery County and her local insight is invaluable when navigating the nuances of the county’s criminal justice system. She’s a familiar, respected name among the prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officers involved in drug cases.  She also understands how cases are typically approached, how they can be challenged, and what strategies are most effective with the courts. 

Say Goodbye To The Stress and Anxiety of Drug Charges 

Facing drug charges in Texas can be a brutal experience.  The stress and anxiety of the process can impact your mental health, your family, and your work.  Knowing you’ve got the best defense attorney by your side can lift that weight off your shoulders.   

Andrea Kolski and her team bring skill and experience to every case while treating you with the respect and compassion you deserve.  Whether you’re an innocent property owner or someone who mis stepped on the wrong side of the law, you have Constitutional rights that deserve protecting. Choosing the right defense attorney can insure those rights are intact. 

For over 25 years, Andrea Kolski is a name that countless families have trusted with their legal dilemma.    

If you or someone you love has been charged with operating a meth lab in Montgomery County, regardless of the situation, early intervention is essential.  Andrea and her team are standing by and ready to help you navigate through this difficult time. 

You owe it to yourself and your family to get the best legal help on your side.  Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.