Officers on scene of active Iowa City meth lab

The 1400 block of Keokuk Street in Iowa City has been re-opened to through traffic after it was closed off temporarily Wednesday morning as officers continue to work at the scene of what's being described as an “active” meth lab.

Iowa City Police Sgt. Denise Brotherton said the situation is part of an ongoing investigation at 1409 Keokuk Street. Brotherton said the bust began with a traffic stop around 6:30 a.m., which led officers to the Keokuk Street address around 7:45 a.m., she said.

The scene is being investigated by the Johnson County Multi-Agency Drug Task Force, Brotherton said, and state experts are on scene to assist with clean-up.

A neighbor on scene said he witnessed police take a man out of the home and appeared to strip the man naked in the driveway, adding officers pulled sheets up over the man as he was being disrobed. He said the officers then took the man away in a squad car.

The street will likely be blocked off until around midday as a precaution while officials deal with the hazardous chemicals from the meth lab, Brotherton said. She advised commuters to avoid the area if possible, and said drivers should not go around the roadblocks.

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