The Region - News from Sept. 12, 1986

Police raided a home next to an El Cajon elementary school in a drug bust that broke up a $44-million methamphetamine operation, authorities said. Mark Humphrey White, 29, was arrested in the raid at the home, which is next to Anza School. White was booked into San Diego County Jail for investigation of narcotics violations and possession of stolen property. “It’s incredible. We were not at all aware of it,” said Allison Cummings, school principal. The school’s playground abuts the house on El Cajon’s Merritt Drive. “The children play on the playground . . . all the time. That could have been so dangerous,” Cummings said. Police took precautions in removing the contraband because of the volatile nature of ether and other chemicals used to make methamphetamine.