Sheriff: Mobile meth labs on the rise

HUNTINGTON COUNTY, Ind. (WANE)--Ever since some of the synthetic marijuana and bath salts were taken off the shelves, officials in Huntington County said they’ve seen a drastic rise in mobile meth labs.  Huntington County Sheriff Terry Stoffel said it has become the largest problem in the entire county.

Wednesday, city and county officers made a traffic stop on U.S. 24 just east of Andrews in Huntington County.  Inside the vehicle, police discovered a dangerous scene:  An active meth lab.

“It was still bubbling when they were removing it.  So they had to put the proper apparatus on in case of an explosion,” Stoffel said.

Three suspects were arrested and charged in Wednesday’s incident. 

According to the National Drug Enforcement Administration, the number of meth labs found in vehicles across Indiana has actually been on the decline:

• 2009-186
• 2010-195
• 2011-175
• 2012-38 (through March)

But state leaders say there are a lot of regional nuances in the statistics.

It’s an issue officers have been tracking down frequently in Huntington County.  In the last eight days, Stoffel said there have been seven people taken into custody for meth-related charges.  Manufacturing meth inside a vehicle while driving around seems to be the choice way to do it across the county.

“The smell isn’t there for the neighbor to pick up on,” Stoffel said.  “So they’ll go out in the county and drive around.  When they’re done doing that, they’ll discard all their trash out there in the county.  That’s what we’re finding a lot of now.”

Meth trash can look like an empty two-liter bottle with white resin around it.  It can be toxic and explosive.  If you see meth trash, do not handle it.  You’re asked to call authorities immediately.