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Arrest made after EMTs find meth lab in Pa. apartment

Police were alerted when things “didn’t look right”

By Steve Mocarsky
The Times-Leader

WYOMING, Pa. — A borough man faces multiple charges after a suspected methamphetamine lab was found in his apartment.

Wyoming Borough police were alerted to suspicious activity at 296 Wyoming Ave. by members of the West Wyoming Ambulance, who had responded to a medical emergency at the location at about 3:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to borough Police Commissioner Michael Flanagan.

Wyoming police responded and requested assistance from West Wyoming police. Fortunately, members of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation were in the area working on another matter and were able to respond and assist, Flanagan said.

Flanagan said EMS workers who entered the apartment “saw some things that didn’t look right” and alerted police.

“Upon initial investigation, it was readily apparent that a methamphetamine lab was on the premises, and the building was evacuated and secured. A search warrant was obtained and the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team was dispatched to the scene,” Flanagan said later in a news release.

That team entered the residence using protective equipment and recovered several items that are connected with the manufacture of methamphetamine, Flanagan said.

The resident of the apartment, Michael Seeley, 57, was taken into custody at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and is facing charges of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, risking a catastrophe and recklessly endangering another person.

Also assisting police were Wyoming Hose Co. No. 1, Wyoming Hose Co. No.2, West Wyoming Fire and Fire Police, West Wyoming EMS and Pittston City Paramedic Unit.

Police did not secure a search warrant until sometime after 5 p.m. Northbound traffic on Wyoming Avenue was restricted to one lane until the scene was cleared later Tuesday night.

Flanagan said the building houses six or seven apartments. It was unclear how many people were displaced.

Times Leader staff writer Geri Gibbons contributed to this report.

Copyright 2016 The Times Leader