New Jersey Police Officer Suspended Over Operating Meth Lab Out Of His Home

A police officer in New Jersey has been suspended after his arrest on a number of criminal charges. Authorities had answered a domestic abuse call at the police officer's home and were later tipped off that he was running a meth lab.

The arrest happened late Saturday at the home of Christopher Walls, a 19-year veteran at the Long Branch Police Department. As officers were answering a domestic disturbance call, a resident informed them that Walls was involved in illegal drug activity.

The New Jersey State Police Hazmat Unit was then dispatched, later discovering various ingredients and instruments that were consistent with a methamphetamine laboratory in Walls’ basement and a shed on his property.

Officers also found a number of weapons that were left unsecured, including eight high-capacity magazines, four handguns, two long guns, and ammunition.

Books about poison, explosives, and making methamphetamine were also discovered at the home.

Walls, 50, faces several charges, including second degree endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree possession of a firearm during the course of a CDS offense, second-degree risking widespread injury, third-degree possession of CDS (methamphetamine), third-degree manufacturing CDS (methamphetamine), and first degree maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) production facility.

“Thanks to the swift action of our office, the Long Branch Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police, a very serious risk to public safety has been averted,” Christopher J. Gramiccioni, Monmouth County prosecutor, said in a statement.

“The collaborative efforts of our agencies dismantled a very dangerous situation. It is particularly distressing that this hazard was caused by a sworn law enforcement officer.”

After police officials learned about Walls’ arrest, he was suspended without pay. If convicted of his charges, the New Jersey officer could face up to 20 years in prison.

“The officers in our agency risk their lives daily to protect and serve our residents. It is disappointing beyond measure that one of our officers could have risked the safety of his family and neighbors by engaging in such dangerous conduct,” Frank Rizzuto, the acting Police Chief at the Long Branch Police Department, said in a statement.

“This officer’s actions do not reflect the moral compass of our officers or this agency.”

As of Sunday, Walls was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a detention hearing.