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HAZLETON — Three men were arrested after police found a meth lab at a residence on Tuesday.
Police have charged Greg Shafer, 21, of Drums, Cody Salko, 24, of Freeland, and Guy Coxe, 46, of Hazleton, with manufacture of methamphetamine, causing or risking catastrophe, three counts of possession of a pre-cursor chemical for methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers were dispatched to an apartment at 1000 Grant Street for a report of individuals manufacturing methamphetamine at approximately 7:50 p.m. Tuesday.
When officers arrived, they reportedly detected “an immediate danger of a clandestine lab” inside the residence, and they made entry into the residence.
Shafer, Salko, and Coxe were then taken into custody. During the time, police allege there was a “massive odor” coming from out of the residence, and an air quality reading indicated a high level of volatile gas and hydrogen sulfide.
Officers then cleared the building for the safety of the residents, and two officers had to be evaluated at Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton due to exposure to chemicals.
The Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team executed the search warrant at 12:33 a.m. Wednesday, and police allege numerous items found to manufacture methamphetamine and $306 cash were discovered.
“This is an extremely dangerous situation that could have caused an explosion,” said Hazleton police chief Jerry Speziale in a news release. “Thankfully those officers responding saw the situation for what it was and handled it appropriately”
Court dockets for Shafer, Salko, and Coxe could not be immediately found.
