2015-05-05 Hastings

Meth Lab Discovery – 516 Hastings Street

A methamphetamine laboratory was discovered in a north Amarillo trailer on Tuesday morning, May 5, 2015, raising concerns among area residents due to its proximity to a day care center.^[1]

Location and Discovery

The meth lab was found at a trailer located at 516 Hastings St. in north Amarillo. The Potter County Sheriff's Office received a tip that drugs were being sold in the area and executed a search warrant at the residence.

Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas said: "We ended up having to take that meth lab apart. The DEA came in and took care of that for us. We also found a 3/4 pound of marijuana and about 45 grams of meth on the property as well."

Day Care Center Concerns

The location of the trailer was across the street from Pleasant Valley Baptist Day Care, which cares for approximately 110 children throughout the week. Because the meth lab was found in a drug-free zone, the suspects would face enhanced charges.

Sheriff Thomas noted: "The location of the trailer where the search warrant was executed was across the street from a day care, so it falls under a drug-free zone, which is going to bump up the offense that they will be charged with as well."

Valerie Clemans, a Co-Director of the day care, said: "It's kind of creepy in a way because we had no idea it was going on, and the things that could have happened are scary to think about."

Melissa Gilliam, also a Co-Director of the center, said: "I'm very glad that we have this security system that we have on our building now, that makes us feel a lot better."

The center said it had always been skeptical of the trailer and began enforcing tighter security measures. The school's doors are locked at all times, and visitors must be buzzed in to gain access.

Seized Evidence

The DEA handled the dismantling of the meth lab due to the dangerous chemicals involved. In addition to the meth lab, authorities found:

• Approximately 3/4 pound of marijuana
• About 45 grams of methamphetamine

Arrests

All three suspects—two females and one male—were arrested and booked into the Potter County Detention Center. Their names were not released in the initial reports.

Sheriff's Statement

Sheriff Thomas said the bust was successful because meth use is the number one cause of crime on the streets of Amarillo.

Images