PALM BAY, Florida — Palm Bay police officers blocked off a three-block area off of Santo Domingo Avenue in Palm Bay, Florida earlier today due to a high hazard incident involving what they say appeared to be evidence of a mobile meth lab in a vehicle.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Meth Disposal Team responded to the scene to remove the hazard. Residents in the area were evacuated because the scene was secured during the removal process.
Palm Bay spokesperson Yvonne Martinez said, “At this time, the meth has been neutralized and the scene has been opened for normal traffic.”
At approximately 6:53 a.m. today, a resident flagged down a patrol officer to report an erratic vehicle traveling south on Minton Road from Malabar Road. Police then located a 2004 Saturn in the area of Santo Domingo off of Jupiter Boulevard and stopped the car. Police say the driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old white male, appeared under the influence when officers approached the vehicle. After further investigation, the man was arrested for DUI. The man is not being identified by police due to an ongoing investigation.
A subsequent inventory of the vehicle yielded a cooler in the back seat. Police say the cooler contained evidence of paraphernalia used in a mobile meth lab. Due to the high-hazard potential of the contents, officers immediately secured the vehicle and cordoned off a safe zone until the meth disposal team can remove the hazard. Santo Domingo Drive is blocked between San Luis and Tucker.
There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident.