Police in Pemiscot County chase down suspect carrying active shake-and-bake meth lab

STEELE, Mo. -- Area drug task force agents on Tuesday chased down a suspect who fled on foot carrying what officials described as a "fully active, boiling shake and bake methamphetamine lab" in his coat as he ran from police.

Bootheel Drug Task Force agents, under the direction of Pemiscot County officials, were tipped off Tuesday in regard to a farm residence on County Road 548, south of Steele, where it was believed that illegal drug manufacturing was taking place.

Surveillance of the home was conducted for several hours; when a vehicle left the residence. Police say they attempted to follow the vehicle, but when they closed in behind it, the driver made an abrupt stop in the middle of the road, quickly exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Agents reported being able to apprehend him fairly quickly without incident. During his arrest, the suspect dropped from his coat a plastic bottle which contained active ingredients actively producing methamphetamine. Police later learned that the vehicle was stolen from Tennessee.

At the residence, investigators uncovered more of the drug, packaged for sale, in addition to two meth labs that were creating more of the illegal substance.

The suspect and his girlfriend, who police didn't identify Wednesday, are awaiting formal charges through the Pemiscot County prosecuting attorney's office.

Pertinent address:

Steele, MO