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Police: Suspect Cooked Meth While Driving On I-285

Posted: 12:03 pm EDT October 28, 2009Updated: 5:34 pm EDT October 28, 2009

Doraville police confirmed they stopped a suspected "rolling meth lab" on Interstate 285 Wednesday afternoon thanks to an unbuckled seatbelt and an alert K-9 officer.

Investigators said the driver, Thomas Christian Johns, 30, was "cooking meth" as he drove along the interstate.

Police stopped Johns on I-285 west near Peachtree Industrial Boulevard just before noon. A couple of right lanes were blocked while police investigated.


SLIDESHOW: Rolling Meth Lab Pics | VIDEO: Suspect Cooked Meth While Driving, Police Say

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Drug Lab Unit was at the scene.

Doraville police said one of their officers spotted Johns without his seatbelt on and pulled over the vehicle. The officer ran John's license and discovered he had an outstanding warrant, police said.

Thomas Christian Johns

Thomas Christian Johns

A K-9 unit was called and the dog alerted officers to the smell of meth, Doraville police said.

"Mr. Johns was cooking methamphetamine while driving," said Officer Gene Callaway of the Doraville Police Department. "I want to know how this guy didn't blow up."

The chemicals police said they found in Johns' car were a dangerous mix, according to Callaway.

"If the car had exploded while on 285 it could have damaged other cars or caused accidents," Callaway added.

Rolling meth lab

Manuel Bojorquez

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