METRICH busts meth lab after complaint

A suspected meth lab was discovered Wednesday evening during a METRICH operation at 89 Lexington Ave.

The METRICH enforcement unit, with assistance from the Mansfield Police Department, the Ohio BCI clandestine drug lab unit and the Mansfield Fire Department, served a search warrant about 7 p.m. Wednesday after receiving complaints earlier in the evening that methamphetamine was being manufactured there, authorities said.

The house is across from the Circle K and the intersection of Lexington and Mulberry avenues.

During an initial visit to the residence, detectives noticed ingredients and chemicals consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine, METRICH said. The detectives and patrol officers from the Mansfield Police Department secured the residence and got a search warrant. During the search, the chemicals and ingredients were neutralized by detectives.

The person wanted for questioning in relation to the suspected meth lab was not at the residence when the search warrant was served. METRICH will present charges to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office for illegal manufacture of drugs, illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for manufacture of drugs and possession of controlled substances once the investigation is finished.

Originally published in the News Journal on March 27, 2014.