Published: November 25, 2008 07:24 pm         

City police find components for meth lab discarded in cemetery

Crossville Police are continuing to investigate the discovery of discarded garbage bags that contained not only components commonly associated with clandestine methamphetamine labs, but mail with addresses that might be giving clues as to where the items came from.

The incident was first reported Nov. 7 by Ptl. Donald Hammon who wrote that he was on routine patrol and had turned his squad car into Turner Cemetery off Peavine Rd. to conduct a routine check when he discovered black bags of what appeared to be garbage dumped over a fence.

The bags had been torn open prior to the officer's arrival, and the Hammon observed brake cleaner, drain cleaner, canned Heet, coffee filters, plastic bottles with tubes taped to the spouts and other items.

Hammon called for assistance and Ptl. Jacob Brink, Ptl. Mark Steinman and Ptl. Elizabeth Diaz came to the scene. A discarded pizza delivery box contained the phone number of a residence where the pizza was delivered, and the address that matched with that number was the scene of the death of a known substance abuser, according to the report.

In another bag was found mail addressed to another residence. Further inspection yielded a white powdery residue on some of the discarded items. A hazardous materials handling company was called to the scene to dispose of the meth lab items.

Investigation into the incident is continuing.