'SHAKE AND BAKE' METH LABS FOUND AGAIN IN SUFFIELD

A Suffield resident stumbled upon an illegal, working methamphetamine
lab in a wooded area of the township Monday night, which included
several dozen two-liter soft drink bottles used in the
"shake-and-bake" method of manufacturing the drug.

Portage County Sheriff David Doak said deputies went to the area of
Martin Road and U.S. 224 in Suffield around 8:15 p.m. Monday after a
resident reported finding two suspicious five-gallon buckets.

Responding deputies identified the buckets as having been used in the
production of methamphetamine, a highly-addictive illegal drug that
leaves behind toxic chemicals when it is produced.

Along with the buckets, deputies also found 58 two-liter bottles used
in "shake-and-bake" method of methamphetamine "cooking," Doak said.
Methamphetamine "cooks" put chemicals in the bottles, and the
subsequent reaction produces the drug.

Seven of the 58 bottles were still in the "cooking" stages when
deputies found them.

Methamphetamine cooks can expect to obtain approximately a half-ounce
of drug from each bottle, which can net them $1,000 or more on the
street.

The Suffield Fire Department assisted at the scene while deputies and
a Drug Enforcement Administration cleanup unit supervised the efforts.

Doak said the bottles were of the same type found earlier this month
along S.R. 43 near Wingfoot Road, in Suffield.

Doak said anyone coming in contact with these types of items should
not touch them, and call the sheriff's office immediately. The
substances used in methamphetamine manufacturing are volatile, under
extreme pressure and can cause serious harm if inhaled or if they come
in contact with the skin.

Anyone with information relating to individuals manufacturing
methamphetamine should call the task force at 330-296-8626.