VERO BEACH — Four people are under arrest after detectives from the Indian River County Multi Agency Criminal Enforcement (MACE) Unit concluded a five-week drug investigation Thursday morning in Vero Beach that uncovered what is being called one of the largest meth labs on the Treasure Coast.
Authorities served a search warrant at 1913 22 Ave., Vero Beach, finding a homemade lab used to manufacture methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration methamphetamine lab team assisted with the search warrant.
“We are pleased that the MACE Unit was able to locate and, with the assistance of the DEA, dismantle this lab before anyone was seriously hurt,” Sheriff Deryl Loar said. “The amount of chemicals within this house was not only a dangerous inhalant hazard to the occupants but acted as a potential explosive compound, which could have affected neighbors.”
Inside the home, investigators located 21 containers, sometimes referred to as “one pots,” used to manufacture methamphetamine. Additionally, a host of other equipment and supplies commonly used in the production of meth were located in living area of the residence. The DEA has noted this is among the largest meth labs involving individual “one pot” manufacturing ever found on the Treasure Coast.
Further, a large duffel/travel bag was found to within the home. The bag contained what detectives are describing as a mobile lab.
“The travel bag had all the supplies in it to allow them to make meth anywhere they went; a hotel, another house, even the back of a vehicle could have been used as a mobile lab,” MACE supervisor Detective Sergeant Anthony Civita said.
The bag also contained a Florida identification card of Edward McElhenny.
Those arrested in connection to the meth lab include the following:
- Clinton B. Story, 30, who faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
- Edward McElhenny, 50, who faces charges manufacturing methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
- Angela Story, 32, who faces a charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
- Paul Richardson, 27, who faces a charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
VERO BEACH — Detectives from the Indian River County’s Multi Agency Criminal Enforcement Unit along with the DEA are on the scene of what is believed to be one of the largest meth labs ever found on the Treasure Coast, the Sheriff’s Office said Thursday morning.
The location of the lab is the 1900 block of 22nd Avenue in Vero Beach.
Detectives have been on scene for several hours this morning.
No homes in the area have been evacuated as crews have the scene secured. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
