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Discarded bottles used to mix meth on the rise in Bellingham

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BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham police said city public works employees found three bottles discarded in a park last week, likely used to make methamphetamine.

Lt. Bob Vander Yacht said people should not touch discarded bottles and should call 911 when they suspicious items.

“One of the steps of the process to make methamphetamine in this bottle system is to ball up aluminum foil,” he said.

One of the bottles found has balls of aluminum foil inside. He also said these "meth bottles" can appear discolored or have tape on them.

Vander Yacht in Bellingham and officers of the Seattle Police Department said meth production in bottles is rare in this region of the country.

“They’re seeing quite a bit of this on the East Coast, and frequently what happens is something on the East Coast or on the southern border will naturally make its way to the West Coast,” he said.

Before this becomes a bigger trend, he said people should be aware and watch out for the children and pets. Coming into contact with them could harm one’s skin with strong acids and bases. If children touch them, then put their hands in their mouths, that ingestion could make them sick.

The bottles last week were found at the Arboretum, one of the city’s parks. But officers said these could be discarded anywhere.

“I was kind of shocked. I didn’t even know it was a thing,” said Brandi Keller, a Bellingham parent.

Another parent, Lisa Black, has three children. While she can tell her older ones not to touch strange bottles, she’s concerned about her youngest: “He’s two. He grabs at a lot more – he’s a lot more curious.”

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