AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING DRUG-LAB CHEMICAL DUMPS

Authorities from several San Mateo County agencies are investigating
the latest in a recent string of late-night chemical dumps from
clandestine methamphetamine labs in rural county areas.

The most recent dumping was discovered about 10 a.m. Tuesday on a
stretch of Kings Mountain Road near Huddart Park in the hills near
Woodside, according to officials from the town's fire protection district.

Firefighters, investigators from the county sheriff's office and
office of emergency services and state narcotics task force officials
responded. Hazardous materials specialists needed more than five hours
to clear the scene.

Several five-gallon drums containing chemicals used to process
methamphetamine had been tossed along with various drug-making
paraphernalia off a hillside down a ravine along the winding rural
road, according to district Battalion Chief Rawn Pritchard.

The dump was the fourth incident in the area in recent months,
highlighting a growing problem in the rural stretches of the county.