Washington police finding less need for meth lab teams

Police departments in Auburn, Lakewood and Fife have disbanded special teams that deal with hazardous meth labs.

TACOMA, Wash. —

Police departments in Auburn, Lakewood and Fife have disbanded special teams that deal with hazardous meth labs.

Police say the drug is still a problem but most of it is arriving from Mexico instead of being cooked up in local labs.

In Tacoma, police spokesman Mark Fulghum (FULL'-jum) says as the department responds to fewer labs, the meth team has broadened its focus to include marijuana and weapons of mass destruction.

In Puyallup (pew-AL'-up), the Tacoma News Tribune reports the city may disband its team because of police union complaints about safety violations. The union says the team violated safety rules involving chemical exposure both times last year it was called out. One complaint led to a $1,500 state fine.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com