Mobile meth lab disrupts Uptown morning

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - When police stopped a van early Tuesday morning a mobile meth lab pulled over into a parking lot shutting down nearby businesses in Uptown Albuquerque for hours.

News 13's David Romero has been on the scene all morning... He joins us live on Louisiana near Coronado center with the latest...

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Police and firefighters were taking no chances given the dangerous and explosive nature of the chemicals and fumes associated with making methamphetamines.

Albuquerque police reported they arrested Peter Loiacono, 38, the driver of the van after he admitted he was manufacturing meth out of his vehicle.

Officers stopped the van around 5 a.m. after receiving a call that it was related to a commercial burglary earlier in the morning. Loiacono had a passenger in the van but claimed responsibility for running the lab, according to police.

The meth lab unit from the Albuquerque Police Department was called out including hazmat teams from the Albuquerque Fire Department to dispose of the chemicals.

The main bank building at 2424 Louisiana NE was closed for a few hours although employees were later allowed in through a side entrance.

Barbara Aragón, who works nearby, found the situation "completely surprising, but of course your second thought is the patients that are going to be coming, their safety and if they know what's going on."

Loiacono has charges going back to at least 2001 for commercial burglary and possession of controlled substances. He's now facing charges of manufacturing meth and trafficking.

More charges could come later because police said they also found a gun in the van.

According to APD Loiacono's passenger may be indicted by a grand jury later on unspecified charges.