Police find apparent mobile meth lab near Scott City

BENTON, Mo. -- What appeared to be a mobile meth lab was discovered Tuesday in a ditch outside of Scott City.

Scott City officers discovered the dumpsite which contained several ingredients for making methamphetamine and called for the assistance of Scott County drug investigators. The lab did not appear to in operation or complete, according to Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter.

This relatively new type of lab, commonly called a "shake and bake" lab, is very small, yields a small amount of methamphetamine, does not contain a heat source, but is extremely dangerous, Walter said in a news release.

All the ingredients are put into one container or cooking pot, then the container is turned over or shaken to mix the contents. This can result in a significant explosion for the first time or inexperienced cooker, he said.

According to Walter, "Anyone who finds a collection of plastic bottles, salt containers, coffee filters with a container with a dirty brown substance on the outside is encouraged not to touch it, and to contact their nearest law enforcement agency immediately."