Seven arrested after meth lab found by Cedar Rapids police

Seven people were arrested after Cedar Rapids police found an active meth lab in southeast Cedar Rapids on Tuesday.

Officers in SWAT gear and drug enforcement agents served a search warrant at 1014 Bealer Ct. SE, a few blocks from Mercy Medical Center, around 7:10 a.m. Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said the officers found ether, acids and other chemicals inside the blue house.

The Fire Department's hazardous materials team also assisted at the scene.

Police said the following people face drug charges after the bust: John Beltz, 38, Tracy Stephens, 49, and Danial Sill, 32, all of the Bealer Court address; Joseph Boots, 39, of 2420 Otis Rd. SE; Roy Shelton, 37, of 1635 Second Ave. SE, No. 3; and Michael Hoover, 41, of 906 Ellis Blvd. NW.

Stephens, Boots and Shelton were charged with possessing methamphetamine. Mabel Franks, 61, who also lives at the Bealer Court address, was arrested for disorderly house but won't face drug charges, police said.

They were taken to the Linn County Jail. An investigation is continuing.

Hamblin said there was no danger to the neighborhood while the search warrant was executed. While the authorities were at the house, five young children waited for a school bus less than two blocks away.