Perryville police raid meth lab, arrest five

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Three adults and two juveniles were arrested at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at a residence at 425 Main St. in Perryville, after authorities raided what they found to be an active methamphetamine lab there.

Arrested were Shawn L. Niccum of 321 Perry County Road 318, Jennifer A. Hahn, 1784 PCR 800, and John French of 425 Main, all age 18. Niccum and Hahn were arrested on suspicion of class A felony manufacture/production/ attempt to manufacture/produce a controlled substance, class C felony possession of illegal chemicals,class D felony unlawful drug use, possession of paraphernalia/methamphetamine, class A misdemeanor possession of up to 35 grams of marijuana and class A misdemeanor unlawful drug use and possession of paraphernalia. Both are being held in the Perry County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail.

French was arrested on suspicion of Class A misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on a summons.

A male and a female juvenile, both 16, were reportedly involved in the lab and were turned over to juvenile authorities.

The investigation was conducted by the Perry County Sheriff's Department, SEMO Drug Task Force and Perryville Police Department. Officers said the smell of methamphetamine in the building was so strong they had to open windows to air it out so they could safely conduct the search.