OSHP troopers seize mobile meth lab during Stark County traffic stop

HARTVILLE — Two suspects face felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized chemicals used for the manufacturing of methamphetamine after a traffic stop in Stark County.

Troopers stopped a 1999 Honda Accord with Ohio registration, for a red-light violation on Market Avenue in the village of Hartville at 5:16 p.m. Tuesday. The vehicle quickly drove into a driveway and the passenger fled on foot to the rear of the residence.

The driver left the vehicle and was arrested. Troopers searched the rear of the residence and located the passenger hiding near some trees. The passenger was found to be in possession of a small amount of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Upon further investigation, both occupants admitted that chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine were located in the vehicle.

A probable-cause search of the vehicle revealed components to manufacture methamphetamine in the vehicle’s trunk. The Hartville Fire Department and Stark Metro Drug Task Force were called to the scene to assess the mobile lab. The hazardous material clean-up crew disassembled the fully equipped mobile lab.

The driver, Lonnie R. Morris, 29, of Akron, and Charles R. Copen III, 29, of Barberton, were charged with possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, a third-degree felony, and possession of a meth lab within the vicinity of a school, a first-degree felony.

Both suspects were placed in the Stark County Jail.