Propane tanks like this one are used in the process of "cooking" crystal methamphetamine. Special to

The South Alabamian

Based upon information provided by a concerned citizen, Donald Lolley, investigator for the First Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office, Task Force One Commander Michael Hunt and Agent Lem Dubose seized the component parts of a meth lab located in an abandoned house in the Charity Chapel community of Washington County.

Inv. Lolley said that the lab was not operating at the time of the seizure, however, the necessary equipment was present to begin production. "A tank containing what was believed to be anhydrous ammonia, as well as lithium batteries, empty Drano cans, two-liter bottles containing 'sludge' used to generate the gases that produce the drug, and plastic tubing were all found at the site," he said. "The lab could have been made operational in a matter of minutes," added Agent Dubose.

According to Commander Hunt, methamphetamine manufacturers are finding remote abandoned buildings to set up meth labs so they will not be caught with the lab on their own property. It is believed that the people responsible for this lab came to the location during periods when the property owners were at work.

Drano cans, plastic tubing (top photo) and two-liter bottles containing 'sludge' (left photo) used to generate the gases that produce the illegal drug crystal methamphetamine were all found at an unused building in the Charity Chapel community. (Photos courtesy of the First Judicial Circuit District Attorney's office) "If you have such a structure on your property, I would advise you to keep a check on it," said Lolley. "If you find blister packs, lithium battery wrappers, Drano cans, tubing or propane cylinders at such a location, you should immediately leave the area. Meth labs can be very dangerous. Please contact the Drug Task Force or the district attorney's office if you suspect a location is being used to manufacture methamphetamine."

Lolley, who is the former sheriff of Choctaw County, was hired by the district attorney's office in January after the DA received a grant to combat the use and production of methamphetamine.

To report the location of a known lab or suspicious activity contact Inv. Lolley at 251-275- 3146 or the Drug Task Force at 251-246-7400.