It's a hidden danger deputies say people are finding on roadsides across the Upstate.
This time of year, the Oconee County Sheriff's Office says people are more likely to find potentially dangerous ingredients from meth labs dumped on the side of the road.
Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt says this time of year, when community groups are picking up trash and people are cleaning up their yards.
"By getting the word out we hope to maybe save some lives or prevent someone from being seriously injured," Watt explained.
Lt. Ashley Harris with the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office has been doing investigations on meth labs for 15 years. He says the "shake and bake" method is now what he sees most of.
"Because it's faster, so much easier, and all of the materials are easy to obtain," Harris explained. He says it's also easy to get rid of quickly. "A person feels they can pull over to the side of the road, dump one of these out, and drive off."
The materials people might find are in bottles or book bags on the side of the road.
The Laurens County Sheriff's Office says - they're seeing an increase in people finding meth lab dump sites too.
They 7 On Your Side, just this past weekend, a boy scout troop picking up trash found one.
Lt. Harris says the dumped materials could contain a combination of potentially dangerous chemicals.
"Some of the stuff has been altered, mixed by them and the chemicals that are being given off are very dangerous," Harris explained.
Deputies say there are a lot of different ways to make meth, so what you find might look different than what we showed you.
If it looks suspicious do not pick it up, call law enforcement immediately.
Someone caught dumping these materials could face serious charges. Deputies manufacturing meth could mean several years in prison. If those materials injure someone, more charges could be filed.
Courtesy: Oconee Co. Sheriff's Office
