The Niles Star

Mobile methamphetamine lab discovered during traffic stop

A 25-year-old Niles Township man was arrested after police reportedly discovered a mobile methamphetamine lab in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

Nathan Etling has been charged with manufacturing meth, second offense, and possession of meth, second offense, and is lodged at the Berrien County Jail pending his arraignment in court.

According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Chad Franz of the Niles Township Road Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a 2002 Chevrolet at approximately 6:50 p.m. Aug. 16 on South 11th Street near Bertrand Road for a defective equipment violation.

The driver, Etling, was the only occupant of the vehicle.

During the stop, Franz allegedly located and seized about $100 worth of processed meth. He also located a meth lab and meth lab equipment and chemicals inside the vehicle.

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotic Unit Methamphetamine Laboratory technicians responded to the scene to assist in the investigation and the dismantling of the lab.

A hazardous waste material company was also dispatched to the scene to remove hazardous waste generated by the meth lab.