Pa. police suspect meth lab, find wine instead

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) — Authorities in central Pennsylvania who were called to investigate a suspicious odor at an abandoned house thought they had found a meth lab.

It turned out to be an old winemaking operation.

Police in North Cornwall Township searched the home’s basement and discovered five-gallon pails and hundreds of glass beakers, jars and other containers filled with unknown liquids on Saturday.

Police say the items are consistent with equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. But further tests and research led police to conclude the home’s former tenant, who died about five years ago, had been making wine in the basement.

Police re-secured the residence, which is owned by a man who police believe lives in nearby Lancaster.