Pocono News Section

Meth lab bust in Mahanoy City

Meth lab bust in Mahanoy City - Monday, December 10, 2007 at 9:18PM EST

Monday, Dec 10, 2007 @09:18pm EST

It's a scene that shocked neighbors in Mahanoy City.

Police bust up what they say what was a meth lab right in heart of the small borough.

34 year old William Mooney was arrested, charged with making and intending to sell methamphetamine.

Police say he was allegedly making methamphetamine out of his home here on West Mahanoy street.

Neighbors are shocked.

Ted Gimeno says, "all i could think is what's happening, something's happening. And then when i seen all the cops i fugured oh well, somebody's making something."

Investigators say they've been following Mooney for about 3 months.

They say he was buying large amounts of sudafed at four rite-aides in Schuylkill county.

Sudafed contains psuedoephedrine, a key meth ingredient.

Police say that and other ingredients like amonia and glass hardware used to cook meth were found at Mooney's house.

Sarah Handay lives down the street and is on edge.

"it was very scary and frightening and you just don't know what to do. It’s like the people that you think could be your neighbors could be the next big drug dealers."

A cleanup crew came in from Pittsburgh to clean up the toxic aftermath of a meth lab.

They brought out this amonia tank, and more.

Once the house is cleaned, it will be condemned.

Police are not only concerned about neighbors, but also this nearby church, and the high school which is a block down the street.

People who knew Mooney don't know what to think.

"he seemed like nice guy. Billy is a nice guy. You know he got in some trouble but not much. I never thought that of him."

But now Mooney is in jail, on federal meth charges.

Mooney was arraigned Monday night.

He was sent to the Schuylkill county jail on 50 thousand dollars bail.