Meth In Maine?

[Nagognog2]

Portland police respond to methamphetamine chemicals
October 20, 2006

PORTLAND, Maine --Portland police called in a hazardous materials team Friday after somebody delivered a box of dangerous chemicals that had the makings of a methamphetamine lab.

A local attorney arrived at the police station at about 8 a.m. with a box that had chemicals that are used to manufacture the illegal drug methamphetamine, said Police Chief Tim Burton.

Because the chemicals can be toxic and explosive, officers inside the department took the chemicals to an outside courtyard, sealed off the area and called in the city's hazmat team, he said. A unit from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency was also summoned.

The lawyer told police he thought he was doing the right thing in bringing the chemicals to police, Burton said.

"It's our understanding that the chemicals were turned over to the attorney by a client," the chief said.

The MDEA took possession of the chemicals and was expected to turn them over to the state Department of Environmental Protection, Burton said.

"The fact that this has occurred means the MDEA will launch an investigation to identify the origin of these chemicals and determine if there's some significant methamphetamine production going on beyond what we've been exposed to today," Burton said.