Police bust Meadows meth lab

A custodian discovered a box containing the supplies for a methamphetamine lab Thursday afternoon in the Owens Fine Arts Center.

The box, which was found in the practice rooms located in the center’s basement, contained a Bunsen burner, two open containers holding an unknown substance and a flask with residue left on it. The SMU police department gave the box to University Park police, Capt. Tommy Jones said.

As police arrived on the scene, they treated the room as a crime scene and taped it off. They inventoried and removed evidence in the room for further investigation. Then they dusted the room and all of the items found in the box for fingerprints.

Methamphetamine is also known as meth, cristy and crank. It is a potent central nervous system stimulant that directly attacks the brain and spinal cord while interfering with naturally produced chemical substances made within nerve cells.

The drug has a high potential for abuse and dependence and produces hallucinations, paranoia, and has led to numerous murders and suicides.

The Dallas Police Department was called to the scene to assist the SMU Police in the sampling process of the chemicals, also known as precursors, found in the two open containers.

A precursor, one of the preliminary elements in producing methamphetimines, is not illegal by itself. However, charges can be pressed when these chemicals are mixed together to produce the drugs, because the substances are used to produce methampetamine

Dallas Police took samples of the chemicals for testing in the forensics lab to determine whether or not the chemicals are methamphetamines.

If the police identify the individuals who produced this lab, then they will go through the SMU Judicial hearing process. Since the SMU Police and the SMU Judicial Affairs are two different entities, the individuals will be referred to both and may face two different sentences, said Dee Siscoe, dean of Student Affairs.

Article 3.6 of the Student Code of Conduct states all students shall be responsible for compliance with local, state or federal laws regarding controlled substances and violators will be subject to disciplinary proceedings in the University Judicial Systems. All students are responsible for upholding the student code of conduct.

Students with any information regarding the case should contact Jones at (214) 768-3491.