2 Suspected of Operating Drug Lab

The smell of chemicals wafting from a mobile home in this remote desert community led to the arrest of two people on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine, a Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman said.

A deputy patrolling the 25800 block of East Avenue U-8 on Friday afternoon discovered a methamphetamine laboratory in the trailer after he picked up the scent, said Deputy Diane Hecht.

Hecht said the deputy found two people inside and discovered a bunker nearby containing glassware, heating elements, chemicals and 1 1/2 ounces of the narcotic known on the street as “speed.” The drug had a street value of $45,000, she said.

Arrested Friday were Dwight Robert Henry, 49, who lived in the mobile home, and Carolyn Sue Hunt, 36, of Wrightwood, the deputy said. They were being held at the Antelope Valley Sheriff’s station in lieu of $500,000 bail each, she said.

Last Saturday, a fiery explosion at another methamphetamine lab in Llano left a young Sylmar man in extremely critical condition with burns over 90% of his body. The Sheriff’s Department did not know if the two speed-manufacturing operations were related.