Mobile meth-lab lands three in local jail

Historic City News has learned that at about 1:30 a.m. this morning, a man and two women entered the CVS Pharmacy located at 175 SR-312 in St Augustine and attempted to purchase a quantity of over-the-counter medication containing pseudoephedrine.

The pharmacy manager was suspicious of the transaction and notified the St Johns County Sheriff’s Office; who canvassed the area based on a vehicle description provided by the witnesses at the store.

Deputies located a van that matched the available description in the parking lot of Wal-Mart on US-1 South in St Augustine. When officers approached the occupants of the van, they observed bags from several pharmacies inside the vehicle; and, what was described as a “bulky black backpack”,

A narcotics K-9 unit responded to the scene and alerted on the vehicle.

The Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team responded to the scene and ascertained that the bag contained a mobile methamphetamine lab; which was dismantled and collected as evidence.

All occupants of the van were arrested and charged with production of methamphetamine and transported to the St Johns County Detention Facility; where they remain as of this afternoon, in lieu of bond.