Full Notification

Muncie – Last evening, just after 11:30 p.m., members of the Pendleton District Meth Suppression Team were contacted by employees of the Wal-Mart located at 1501 E. 29^th. St. in Muncie  reference a suspicious backpack in the men’s rest room.

When troopers entered the rest room located at the front of the store, they found a backpack with an active meth lab inside. Members of the team donned their protective respirators and suits and dismantled the lab, removing the chemicals from the premises. 

The health department was called in for an inspection as is required by law.  They deemed that both the men’s and women’s rest rooms would have to remain closed until they could be professionally decontaminated by a company specializing in Meth decontamination. The investigation into who left the backpack is ongoing.

With warm weather approaching and outside activities increasing, so does the potential for people to encounter toxic and hazardous meth trash or a working meth lab left unattended.

Rather than the Meth cook blowing up or contaminating their house, they are now often leaving behind the deadly explosive chemicals in public places to return later to get the finished product. They will often times dump their trash, which includes Sudafed blister packs; Liquid Fire drain cleaner bottles, battery casings, and plastic drink bottles with white residue in the bottom, in rural or desolate areas, or in alleys or vacant lots.

The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section wants to remind citizens that these labs and meth lab trash contain chemicals that are toxic, flammable, corrosive, and acidic. The combination of these chemicals could cause an explosion, fire or burns if they come into direct contact with the skin.  The chemical fumes can cause permanent damage to organs and the nervous system.

If you encounter any of these items, or see any suspicious activity, please contact your local Indiana State Police Post or call the Drug Tip Line at 1-453-4756.  The Indiana Meth Investigation System or IMIS, can also take tips on meth labs.  Just go to www.meth.in.gov and click on the “Report Suspected Meth Activity” Link.

Methamphetamine is a highly addictive and destructive drug. Information regarding meth statistics, meth lab cleanup, educational videos and materials about meth manufacturing and addiction, can be found on the Meth Investigation System, or IMIS, at www.meth.in.gov