Trumbull-Ashtabula find meth lab in Newton Falls apartment

NEWTON FALLS

A search of a village apartment Wednesday led police to discover a meth lab, a multi-county task force announced.

The Trumbull-Ashtabula Group Law Enforcement Task Force reportedly went to apartment 108 of the Newton Village Apartments Wednesday to investigate suspicious activity and ended up arresting a suspect on drug charges, according to a news release.

The search was prompted by information from the Bazetta Police Department and an employee from a local hardware store.

Officers arrested Mark Cowger, 37, after he reportedly showed investigators a room that contained a meth lab after they showed him surveillance photos of him purchasing chemicals used to manufacture the drug.

A woman also was removed from the residence, but was not charged.

The Trumbull County Clandestine Lab Response Team removed hazardous materials from a pantry. Newton Falls police and fire departments also assisted in the response, according to the release.

Cowger was taken to the Trumbull County Justice Center. He was charged Thursday with possession of chemicals used to manufacture meth, a third-degree felony offense.

The TAG Law Enforcement Task Force is a multi-county agency formed by the Trumbull and Ashtabula county sheriffs. The group focuses on investigations related to drug and firearm trafficking, gang activity and Homeland Security issues.