Chemicals Used to Make PCP Found in Truck
A routine traffic stop in Newhall resulted in the arrest of a man and a juvenile for transporting 25 gallons of hazardous materials used in manufacturing the drug PCP, the California Highway Patrol reported Thursday.
The 16-year-old driver of the pickup truck and a passenger, Joseph Lewis, 37, both of Compton, were arrested on suspicion of transporting chemicals used in manufacturing an illegal drug and carrying a concealed weapon.
Officer Ralph Elvira said the truck was pulled over by a patrol officer after it was spotted about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday speeding southbound on the Golden State Freeway near McBean Parkway.
A computer check determined that the truck was being sought in a hit-and-run accident in Los Angeles, Elvira said. The truck was impounded and, during a search of the vehicle, a handgun was found, he said.
The pickup was towed to the CHP office in the 23000 block of The Old Road in Newhall.
At the CHP office, investigators determined that five containers in the bed of the truck were filled with chemicals, including ether, used in making PCP.
A hazardous materials team from the Los Angeles County Fire Department was called to the station to dispose of the chemicals.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
