SEABROOK — Thanks to the alertness of an area business and state and federal law enforcement agencies, the makings of a methamphetamine lab were discovered Thursday morning along Route 107, and have since been safely removed.
Seabrook Detective Brett Walker said at 11:15, officers investigated the report of a possible "meth" lab by the high tension power lines south of Route 107 in Seabrook. Employees from John C. Brown and Sons were maintaining the land around the power lines when an employee spotted items that appeared to be out of place.
The employee noticed propane tanks, an air tank, measuring devices, a gas burner, a container of hydrochloric acid, camping fuel and other items. Having seen information about meth labs on television, the employee brought the items to the attention of his supervisor, who contacted the Seabrook Water Department, which then contacted the Seabrook police.
The propane tanks had gas in them and another tank found contained anhydrous ammonia, both of which are used in the production of methamphetamine, Walker said. The anhydrous ammonia had corroded the valve on its tank, making it particularly dangerous to handle.
Walker said Seabrook officers contacted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to coordinate the cleanup and disposal of the toxic chemicals. Officers from the Seabrook Police Department, the DEA Clandestine Lab Team, the N.H. Attorney General's Drug Task Force, the State Police Forensic Lab and environmental cleanup specialists from ENPRO Services responded to identify and remove the chemicals, as well as retrieve items that can be used as evidence.
Investigators wearing hazmat suits and breathing apparatuses removed the items found, carrying fire extinguishers all the while. All items were taken away by ENPRO, and officials determined the area to pose no further health or environmental threat.
While the lab was not active at the time of its discovery, investigators wouldn't comment on how recently they believed it had been used.
"The police department is extremely grateful to everyone involved for bringing this to our attention," said Seabrook police Lieutenant Mike Gallagher. "While methamphetamine is a dangerous drug, the labs used to manufacture it pose substantial health and safety concerns for the community. Labs are flammable, unstable and produce toxic vapors and waste."
"Meth" is a highly addictive drug that causes a sense of euphoria in users. Some tests have shown that long-term use can lead to a psychosis similar to schizophrenia, as well as heart damage.
Walker said methamphetamine is not as prevalent in New Hampshire as it is in other areas of the country, but law enforcement agencies are finding them more frequently.
This is the first lab discovered in Seabrook since Christmas Day in 2009, Walker said, when an abandoned lab was found off Cross Beach Road. No arrests have been made in that incident, but the investigation remains open.
New Hampshire has enacted more stringent laws encompassing the manufacturing, possession and distribution of methamphetamine, including those that prevent people from possessing certain items that could be used to manufacture the drug, or engaging in the methamphetamine trade anywhere near the presence of a children or incapacitated adults.
Police urge those with information regarding this lab or any suspicious activity that may be indicators of methamphetamine production to contact the Seabrook Police Department or their local law enforcement agency.
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