The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency evacuated an Ellsworth apartment building Wednesday night after finding a suspected methamphetamine lab in one apartment.

Drug agents and state chemists dismantled the operation at 153 State St. on Thursday, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Public Safety.

The apartment’s occupants have been questioned but nobody has yet been charged, police said.

Ellsworth police spotted the possible lab when they went to the apartment to check on a resident who was out on bail. Inside the apartment the officers noticed material consistent with the so-called “one-pot” method of manufacturing methamphetamine, according to the release.

Five tenants of the building were provided with housing for the night at local hotels after police decided to evacuate because of the fire and explosion risks associated with meth labs.

It is the fifth meth lab uncovered in Maine so far this year, police said.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.