Officer’s suspicion reveals individuals producing meth at Sumner auto repair business

JFS Automotive was declared a crime scene early Friday upon an officer’s discovery of suspicious activity, which revealed methamphetamine production.

Officer Joe Boulay was on patrol at approximately 3:30 a.m. when he noticed three people inside the garage of the business, according to officer Brad Moericke. Because is seemed an unusual time to be at the location, Boulay made contact with the individuals, who appeared nervous, according to police.

There was also an odor of ammonia, which is used in the production of methamphetamine.

The suspects, one of whom is an employee of the shop, told police they were working late and when police called the owner of the shop to corroborate the story, the owner stated nobody was authorized to be working at the time.

Police said the owner is not a suspect in the case.

Enough evidence existed to arrest the suspects at the scene, who were decontaminated prior to being booked into Pierce County Jail.

A search warrant was issued at approximately 12:20 p.m. and a Pierce County lab crew began examining the interior of the premises, removing containers with ingredients for methamphetamine inside and documenting their finds.

Moericke said following documentation, a warrant granting the right to destroy the ingredients in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency would be obtained and the evidence destroyed.

Moericke commended the vigilance and decision-making of Boulay for noticing and contacting the suspects.

“Hopefully it will put an end to their criminal enterprise,” Moericke said.

Reach Chaz Holmes at 360-802-8909 or cholmes@courierherald.com.