(LE MARS)–A report of a motorist who needed help led Plymouth County Sheriff’s deputies to a meth lab west of Le Mars Monday afternoon.
Forty-two-year-old Paul Anthony Lott and 50-year-old Cheri Rene Lott, both of Oklahoma, are each charged with manufacturing meth, possession of lithium as a precursor for meth, and operating without owner’s consent.
The Lotts were in a U-Haul van when deputies went to Highway 3 and the Highway 75 bypass. The call was for a motorist who needed assistance.
The sheriff’s office information states the U-Haul van was found to be stolen from Colorado and had a meth lab in the back.
Le Mars Fire Chief David Schipper and Le Mars Firefighters provided assistance to the sheriff’s office. The U-Haul was taken to a safe location.
Two technicians cleared the vehicle. Seven fire fighters were at the scene with a fire rig to provide self-contained breathing apparatus equipment and were available for decontamination and neutralizing. The cleanup of chemicals for a meth lab lasted for about three hours.
The Lotts are being held in the Plymouth County Jail.
