Law enforcement officials have just found an active meth lab inside a Taco Bell restaurant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa according to local news source KWWL.
The police were tipped on to the restaurant after receiving a suspicious person report at around 4:42 AM local time. When they reached the premises they found two men outside, one of whom was an employee of the branch.
His identity was revealed as Christopher Adam Matous, a 31 year old man who has had one prior conviction dating back to April 2008 for making meth. He was charged with conspiracy to manufacture Methamphetamine and numerous chemical possession charges. Some of these substances include substance-methamphetamine, possession of sodium hydroxide and possession of petroleum distillates.
The second man arrested at the scene, 56 year old Kent Jerome Duby, was also charged with conspiracy to manufacture Meth.
According to Entrepreneur, the restaurant's franchisee has already terminated Matous' employment and is considering pressing charges against the pair.
Upon scouring the Taco Bell's interiors, Police discovered Coleman fuel, lye, drain cleaner, and other ingredients used to manufacture the drug.
Shortly after these events, Taco Bell issued an official statement regarding the discovery:
"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 and inspected by the Health Department."
County health officials also reiterated Taco Bell's words, saying the restaurant will not open to the public until it passes all mandatory inspection and sanitation procedures.
