Investigators from the Central Minnesota Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant at 9:20 a.m. on a Sunrise Avenue home suspected of having a methamphetamine lab.
Investigators located a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine, as well as numerous items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Agency dismantled what they believed was a methamphetamine lab.
Hazardous materials located at the site were removed by a private hazardous materials contractor. Because of the chemicals involved, meth labs are treated as hazardous sites. The chemicals used are highly explosive and combustible. If mishandled, they could explode and hurt or kill people.
This was the second suspected meth lab found in the Paynesville area in three months. In December a methamphetamine lab was found at a lake cabin on Rice Lake.
Taking part in the search and arrests were the Drug Enforcement Agency, Paynesville Police Depart-ment, and Stearns County Sheriff's Department. Members of the Paynesville Ambulance Service were on hand in case of an emergency.
Samples of the suspected drug were sent to a testing lab in Chicago, according to Dave McLaughin, Central Minnesota Narcotics Task Force commander.
A week ago, three men were arrested for possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Lake Avenue.
The files from both cases have been turned over to the Stearns County Attorney's Office.
The Press publishes names of people only after they are charged.