The first methamphetamine laboratory in Austin was broken-up Wednesday afternoon along 10th Drive SE.

Thursday, October 07, 1999

The first methamphetamine laboratory in Austin was broken-up Wednesday afternoon along 10th Drive SE.

The raid was conducted at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday.

According to an Austin Police Department report, plainclothes officers watching a garage west of Danny’s Place bar observed vehicles rapidly leaving the area and a cloud of smoke coming from the garage at 605 10th Drive S.E.

The garage was last rented to Bradley Sorg for a Sorg Auto Sales business and had been under surveillance for some time, according to Police Chief Paul M. Philipp. "We believe they were cooking, but something started on fire after there was a spill," Philipp said.

A woman identified as Jessica George, 21 of Austin, who authorities say attempted to prevent their entry into the garage, was also arrested on charges of obstructing justice and the manufacture of methamphetamine.

A minor child with her at the time was turned over to the boy’s biological father.

A van seen at the place was later stopped and Harry L. Meader, 26 of Austin, arrested on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine.

Later Wednesday, a brown GEO Prism also observed at the scene was located in Adams. One ounce of methamphetamine was recovered in a search of the unoccupied car as well as an AK-47 assault rifle.

The Austin Fire Department was called to the scene, because of possible fire or toxic chemical dangers.

Also, Austin police summoned the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics Task Force and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to assist local officers.

Police continue to search for two subjects, Matt Horsman, formerly of rural Wykoff, but most recently of Austin, and a man known only as "Outlaw" and described as having long, blonde hair and a tattoo the right side of his face.

All of the individuals, Meader, George, Horsman and "Outlaw" have lengthy criminal histories.

Also, eyewitnesses told investigators they observed a pickup truck leaving the garage shortly before the broad-daylight raid. The pickup truck carried a burning couch and pails in its box.

Anyone seeing the items possibly dumped in the out-county area is asked to call the Austin – Mower County law enforcement center at 437-9400.

Philipp described the methamphetamine lab as "not a large one, but the first one we have been able to break-up in Austin."