Wayne County officials say they have responded to more methamphetamine labs this year than in all of 2010.
The News-Argus of Goldsboro reported that the 16th case of the year was a fire extinguisher in a neighborhood that had been adapted to store ammonia used in meth production.
Sheriff's Capt. Richard Lewis says a hazardous material cleanup contractor was called in to handle the hazardous substance.
Lewis says a clampdown on over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine, a cold medicine also used in meth production, has prompted the proliferation of smaller labs.
Officials are concerned about how they will pay for meth-lab related cleanups, averaging $3,000 per site, since the state shifted the expense to the counties.
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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