CRESTVIEW — Crestview police confirmed that two bottles found Oct. 3 near a BP station in Crestview were part of a portable meth lab.
Officers had responded to a call at 6:30 p.m. about an abandoned suspicious package with two bottles near 510 N. Ferdon Blvd., under a trailer.
Police said the bottles contained what appeared to be a “shake and bake” method of methamphetamine laboratory, and the box's contents remained unknown. The box, sealed with black electrical tape, was present with the other chemicals.
The State Fire Marshall’s Office assisted the Crestview police by using bomb detection devices to determine that the box contained elements of manufacturing methamphetamine. The elements weren't hazardous.
The Okaloosa County Drug Task Force helped confirm that it was in fact a “shake and bake” methamphetamine laboratory, and began dismantling it. Additionally, the Hazardous Materials Removal Team ensured that the chemicals were removed safely.
Traffic was diverted from the area until the scene could be declared safe, and traffic patterns returned to normal shortly after 11:30 p.m.
The CPD Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate this case, and a suspect has not been identified. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Crestview Police Department at 682-3544 or Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at 863-TIPS (8477).
The manufacturing of methamphetamine is a very volatile combination of chemicals, and when unstable, may explode, cause fires, and release poisonous and deadly gases.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Portable meth lab items confirmed near BP station