Meth lab explodes in Veteran, police say

Gillian Friebis
·1 min read

VETERAN, N.Y. (WETM) — A Veteran man was hospitalized and could be facing charges after police say a meth lab exploded in his garage.

According to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office, Bryon J. Schwartz, 42, suffered severe burns to his upper body in an explosion on Saturday night. Deputies determined that the explosion was caused by the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Deputies from the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office arrived at Schwartz’s home on Veteran Hill Road at about 7:45 p.m. on March 9 to assist the Town and Country Fire Department with the scene of an explosion. After their investigation revealed that a meth lab caused the explosion, deputies stayed on the scene through the night while waiting for a search warrant.

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The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division and the New York State Police Crime Scene Emergency Response Team searched Schwartz’s property on the morning of March 10. Police say they found an active one-pot methamphetamine lab, lab equipment, and methamphetamine during the search. Troopers neutralized the active meth lab, processed the scene for more evidence, and disposed of the chemicals that were used to manufacture the methamphetamine.

Schwartz was airlifted to Lehigh Valley Hospital after the explosion and is currently being treated for severe burns. The sheriff’s office expects criminal charges to be filed against Schwartz.

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