WEST MELBOURNE, Florida — On April 6, 2012, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit, along with the West Melbourne Police Department, dismantled a methamphetamine lab at 2045 Botanica Circle, West Melbourne.
Sheriff’s Agents arrested 33-year-old Ali Smoak, 31-year-old Carl Strohlin, 29-year-old Ashley Murphy and 37-year-old Louis Capobianco, on charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and the possession of listed chemicals.
The suspects are being held in the Brevard County Jail Complex on No Bonds.
The labs were discovered when the West Melbourne Police Department received a call shortly after midnight advising that a suspicious car was observed in the neighborhood. The officers identified Murphy and Smoak in a vehicle parked in front of Capobianco’s residence on Botanica Circle. The officers additionally observed an active mobile methamphetamine lab in the vehicle. The officers then notified the Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit who immediately responded.
Upon arrival, it was discovered that in addition to the active mobile lab, a second active lab was in operation within the residence. A search warrant was then executed on the residence where agents discovered approximately 400 grams of methamphetamine oil, 15 weapons, to include shotguns with extended drum magazines, assault rifles and two tactical bullet resistant body armor vests.
Ali Smoak has a criminal history relating to methamphetamine. Smoak was arrested in October of 2011 for trafficking in methamphetamine and is pending trial on that arrest.
Image Credit: BCSO Photo
