MARYSVILLE – A neighborhood that was up in arms earlier this week about a neighborhood drug house was rejoicing Friday as police shut it down.

The new owner of the home in the Hidden Lake Estates had been trying to evict the squatters for some time. One of those in the house was the previous homeowner, who lost it because he didn’t pay the taxes. It was sold at auction.

The new owner plans to start fixing it up right away and sell it within two months.

Marysville police Cmdr. Mark Thomas said the new owner didn’t have to worry about the house being used as a meth lab. That would have required extensive renovation.

“Meth labs have been gone for about five years,” he said, adding ingredients to make it are hard to obtain now. “The Mexican drug cartels have come up with a superior product that’s cheap.”

Even though inhabitants have known for weeks they were going to have to move, about half a dozen were still trying to save some of their property Friday afternoon. One man piled as much as he could onto a hand truck with two flat tires, while a woman did the same with a grocery cart. Another woman in a wheelchair waited for her ride to arrive.

“They knew we were coming. I don’t know why they wait until the last minute,” Officer Chris Farley said.

Police said one woman had lost her possessions when a previous drug house was boarded up. She got out early and took her stuff this time.

All morning and afternoon neighbors watched as police and city cleanup crews did their job. Officers gave inhabitants until 2 p.m. to get their stuff out and move it. A dozer and dump truck picked up what was left.

Neighbors wearing huge smiles continually came by. Some offered coffee and donuts. A woman pushing her grandchild in a stroller could not thank them enough.

“This has united the neighborhood,” Officer Michael Young observed. Unfortunately they will just go “victimize another neighborhood.”