Manassas, Va. - Authorities arrested three men at a suburban motel Wednesday morning after raiding a methamphetamine lab that had been set up in one of the rooms.
The raid began about 12:30 a.m. at a Super 8 motel near Interstate 66 in Manassas after authorities received a tip from law enforcement officials in southern Virginia, said Detective Dennis Mangan, a spokesman for Prince William County police.
Due to the volatility of the chemicals, the left wing of the hotel was evacuated and remained vacant for several hours while chemists wearing protective suits collected evidence and made the room safe, Mangan said.
"The concern is you could cause an explosion," Mangan said. "The vapors could get into the hallways."
The items seized included hydrochloric acid, rubber hoses and jars filled with liquid.
Authorities arrested Shawn Howell, 21, of Saltville; Ronnie Davidson, 32, of Saltville; and Mike Allison, 46, of Chilhowie. All three men have been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Police said Allison was also wanted in Smyth County on 16 counts of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and Davidson was wanted on a probation violation charge.
Methamphetamine, a manmade stimulant that consists of dangerous chemicals added to a common cold medicine, can be snorted, swallowed or injected.
The drug usually is concocted in makeshift labs and generally emits an unpleasant smell when cooked.
Hotel employees said they had no idea the room was being used as a drug lab.
"They were acting like people going to work and coming from work," said Khaled el Manadily, who works at the front desk. He said the men had been staying at the hotel for about a week.
