Meth Lab Discovered In Iowa Taco Bell

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Aug 5, 2015 4:10PM

Two men were arrested after authorities discovered the remnants of a meth lab inside an Iowa Taco Bell.

Police were called to the scene in Cedar Rapids Tuesday morning just before 5 a.m. because of some suspicious activity going on outside, according to local ABC affiliate. Police found Christopher Adam Matous, 31, and Kent Jerome Duby, 56, outside the Taco Bell, which hadn't yet opened for business that day. One of the men—it's not clear which—told police he was an employee.

Police discovered meth-making equipment inside when they investigated. It's not clear if anyone was cooking meth inside the restaurant or had just stashed the equipment there. But Matous and Duby were arrested for allegedly conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine. Mataous also faces charges for possession of a controlled substance, and possession of sodium hydroxide and petroleum distillates.

Mugshots courtesy of the Cedar Rapids Police Department

Taco Bell released a statement pointing out that the meth equipment wasn't anywhere near the kitchen, though the restaurant and local health department aren't taking any chances. Workers in hazmat suits were spotted outside the restaurant as a part of their clean-up efforts. Taco Bell's statement also said they had fired the employee involved:

“We understand that two people, one an employee, entered our franchisee’s restaurant illegally, allegedly possessing suspicious items. Both we and our franchisee find this completely unacceptable. Our franchisee has been cooperating with Cedar Rapids Police to investigate this isolated incident. Although the suspicious items found in the restaurant were not used in the kitchen, the employee has been terminated and our franchisee is considering pressing criminal charges. The restaurant will reopen after it has been sanitized inspected by the Health Department."

Our unsolicited business advice: Meth sounds like a good side hustle, though a hash oil lab might jibe better with the Fourth Meal demographic.