Police: Task Force Raids Meth Lab In Westland Home
WESTLAND (WWJ) - Police remain on the scene where a methamphetamine lab was discovered in a Westland neighborhood.
A drug enforcement task force, Wednesday, raided a home on Manila Street, near Palmer and Wayne roads for suspected narcotics trafficking, according to police.
Michigan State Police tell WWJ Newsradio they entered the house looking for a fugitive, and instead discovered an active meth lab.
Police said investigators discovered nine people inside the house, six of whom were arrested on outstanding warrants unrelated to the meth lab.
A State Police clean-up crew with fire protective, chemical-resistant suits, masks, and other specialized equipment were at the scene, along with firefighters.
"Currently we're waiting for the fire department to stage in case something happens as far as the lab actually exploding," MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said, at 3:30 p.m. "A lot of the chemicals that are used to make methamphetamine is very toxic."
Shaw said crews would enter the home, check the air quality, and collect any narcotics, chemicals and lab materials that they find before turning the scene over to the local health department.
"We'll need them to actually condemn that house because until they do an actual hazardous materials cleanup, it won't be livable," he said.
Neighbors talking to WWJ's Zahra Huber said there have been concerns about unknown people coming in and out of this house, which is very near to a school bus stop. One neighbor said as many as 15 people were living there. Another complained of fights at the home and about a pervasive smell of burning plastic.
The names of those arrested were not immediately released.