Northfield Police find one-pot meth lab on Winnipesaukee River Trail

NORTHFIELD – A woman walking her dog on the Northfield portion of the Winnipesaukee River Trail Trail at 4 p.m. Sunday found what police determined to be the remains of a one-pot "cook" or lab for methamphetamine.

Sgt. Michael Hutchinson said yesterday the woman noticed a regular-sized soda bottle with duct tape on the top and white residue in the bottom. He said the remains of batteries and the plastic coverings for pseudoephedrine capsules and straws were found nearby.

A one-pot "cook" is a way for methamphetamine users to chemically convert the active ingredients in pseudoephedrine (an over-the counter cold medication) to methamphetamine that is usually smoked or snorted. The mixture is highly flammable and toxic to anyone nearby or who happens to come across it.

Hutchinson said Northfield Police called the New Hampshire Drug Enforcement Agency who came to evaluate the situation and clean up the area, noting that even though a "cook" appears to be dead, possible interactions with other chemicals can reactivate it.

Hutchinson said this is the second one-pot "cook" police have found on that section of the WOW Trail. Earlier this month, he said Franklin Police discovered a similar set up on their portion of the trail.

Northfield Police ask anyone with any information about Sunday's lab to call them at 286-8982. He also said that anyone who comes across similar looking ingredients should call their local police departments immediately and to not have any contact at all with the lab or its detritus.

"These are very dangerous chemicals," said Hutchinson. "We'd hate to see anyone get hurt."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the trail.