Troopers find mobile meth lab on 224

Investigators from the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation, as well as specially trained officers from the Van Wert Police Department, to process a semi tractor-trailer rig believed to a mobile methamphetamine laboratory.

Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post were the first to suspect that something was not right when troopers pulled over to investigate a 1996 Peterbilt semi rig that was parked along the side of U.S. 224, near the intersection with Lincoln Highway, at approximately 1:18 Monday morning.

The troopers, who decided to investigate because the semi was partially on the roadway, found the driver of the rig and a passenger asleep in the truck cab’s sleeping area. However, while attempting to wake the two people up, troopers found indications that the rig was actually a mobile meth lab.

After discovering drug-related evidence, troopers then secured the truck and investigators from BCI&I were called, along with VWPD clandestine laboratory trained officers.

Investigators then began processing the semi truck as a hazardous materials scene and U.S. 224 was closed between Lincoln Highway and Van Wert Decatur Road until processing was complete.

More information will be released as it becomes available.