On April 14, 2015, just before 9AM, a Yavapai County Sheriff’s K-9 deputy stopped a 1995 Buick Le Sabre travelling east on I 40 for moving and equipment violations. After the vehicle stopped, the driver quickly exited and opened the hood while a female passenger slid over into the driver’s seat.
Mark King, age 37, from Oklahoma was identified as the driver and the deputy discovered he was unlicensed. King eventually admitted his license was suspended and remained abnormally nervous during contact with the deputy. King had 4 passengers in the car and identified one of them as car’s owner, 19-year-old Alexander Ebat, from Colorado. Both King and Ebat exhibited physical signs of recent methamphetamine use.
At this point, the deputy suspected the vehicle might contain drug related contraband and requested permission from King and Ebat to search the interior. After receiving their ok, the deputy found a glass meth pipe and 2 plastic containers with meth residue inside the glove box. In the trunk of the Buick, the deputy located a variety of items he immediately recognized as ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine. This type of clandestine mobile lab is referred to as a ‘One Pot “shake and bake.”’ At least 15 different items used as ingredients and aids to the “cooking” process were seized. This included lighter fluid and bottles of sulfuric acid based drain cleaner.
Deputies on scene contacted a trained expert in clandestine laboratories who is also a member of the YCSO K9 team. The expert confirmed that the purpose of all the material identified was strictly for methamphetamine production. He cautioned personal to maintain distance from the vehicle in case the lab was active. Meth production involves toxic chemicals and the use of hydrogen chloride gas which makes the operation extremely dangerous. As is protocol in this type of situation, a HAZ MAT team from the Department of Public Safety was called out to render the items safe for handling. The DPS team arrived a short time later and concluded the lab was not active while confirming that all ingredients and necessary equipment were present to manufacture methamphetamine. See http://www.justice.gov/archive/olp/methawareness/ for details.
During follow-up with the 5 persons currently detained, two were determined to be hitchhikers recently picked up and not involved. A third female passenger was also cleared of direct involvement. King eventually admitted purchasing the seized items intending to “cook” meth as part of an arrangement with Ebat who also acknowledged the same.
King and Ebat were both booked at the Camp Verde Detention Center on charges including Possession of Equipment/Chemicals to Make Dangerous Drugs and Possession of Precursor Chemicals. Both remain in-custody – each on a $5000 bond.
Investigation into their destination for set up and general operation is ongoing.