By Matthew Hill
Fayette County sheriff’s deputies teamed with members of the TRIDENT drug task force to successfully locate and destroy a make-shift methamphetamine lab at a camp site near Nallen early Monday morning.
Sheriff Bill Laird said the site in a wooded area near W.Va. 41 appeared to have recently been used to manufacture and produce methamphetamine, also known as meth.
Acting on information provided earlier by a local resident, deputies and TRIDENT agents converged on the location shortly before midnight Sunday and found the area abandoned and unoccupied, Laird said.
The resident had reported the strong smell of chemicals coming from the general vicinity of the campground. After securing the scene, TRIDENT agents inventoried the evidence and found chemicals known to be used in the creation of meth, in addition to production supplies and equipment.
In cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Assistance Administration, hazardous materials technicians were dispatched to the location to assist with cleanup and disposal of chemicals. Firefighters from Nuttall assisted in securing the area.
No arrests had been made as of Wednesday. The investigation is ongoing, Laird said, and his office continues to pursue leads.
“Notice any strong odors of chemical agents coming from a location viewed as suspect,” he advised.
“That was the key in this case. The thing that’s pretty unique to meth is the incredibly mobile manner in which it can be manufactured. These (labs) can be transported and set up in car trunks and motel rooms. Also look for accumulations of chemical agents. Those are indicators of production activity.”
Laird emphasized police welcome the public’s assistance and tipsters can remain anonymous if they so choose. Anyone with information on the production or sale of meth should contact the sheriff’s office at 574-4216 or TRIDENT at 253-4165.
— E-mail:
mhill@register-herald.com
