From Staff Reports

news@salisburypost.com

VERNON, Conn. — A Salisbury man was arrested on Thursday in Connecticut after police there found a mobile meth lab in his van, according to the Hartford Courant.

Shang Clevenger, 24, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, operating a drug factory, possession of drug paraphernalia, weapons in a motor vehicle and reckless endangerment. A 17-year-old female was charged with the same counts, according to the newspaper’s report.

State police found Clevenger at 1 p.m. on Thursday in a McDonald’s parking lot located in the Village of Rockville, Conn. Rockville has a population of about 7,400.

Police were initially dispatched because Clevenger and the 17-year-old were declared missing, according to police.

After approaching the van, Police noticed chemicals associated with methamphetamine production.

Police evacuated the area, and contacted a number of agencies to assist. The Connecticut State Police North Central Narcotics Detectives, Vernon Fire Department, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Hazmat team, Drug Enforcement Administration, Vernon Police Department and East Central Narcotics Team responded to the call, according to the Courant’s report.

Law enforcement disassembled the meth lab, and seized evidence, including explosive chemicals and a fake handgun.

The 17-year-old female’s family was contacted following the incident, according to the Courant’s report.

Clevenger is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail and will appear in Rockville Superior Court on Monday.