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DURYEA — Main Street was closed for several hours early Friday as police allegedly discovered meth cooking inside a vehicle during a traffic stop.
Police said they stopped Nicole Marie Salerno, 26, of Scranton, for a traffic violation on Main Street at about 12:30 a.m.
Salerno displayed signs of being under the influence of a narcotic and attempted to hide something in the passenger side of the vehicle, officers say.
Salerno was taken into custody when police said they discovered meth being actively cooked in the passenger side.
Police Chief Nicholas Lohman allegedly detected a chemical odor and a bottle marked “acid” that was smoking. Lohman and another officer moved away from the vehicle and contacted the state police Clandestine Response Lab Team to remove the items.
Troopers reportedly removed a lithium battery, a plastic bottle containing liquid, a second plastic bottle marked “acid,” and a bag of syringes from the vehicle.
A state police chemist noted the methamphetamine was very dangerous and had a high potential of exploding.
Police allege Salerno gave a false name when she identified herself.
Main Street reopened at about 4 a.m.
Salerno was charged with operating a methamphetamine lab, disposing chemical waste, possessing precursor substances to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, risking a catastrophe, driving with a suspended license, false identification to law enforcement, flight to avoid apprehension and a traffic citation.
Salerno was arraigned by District Judge Rick Cronauer in Wilkes-Barre and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $75,000 bail.