SYCAMORE |Authorities are continuing an investigation regarding an NIU student recently arrested for allegedly running a methamphetamine lab out of a storage unit in Sycamore.

Ryan P. McMillan, 24, of Sycamore, may face more charges since his arrest Saturday by Sycamore Police for the production and distribution of methamphetamine and cannabis.

McMillan’s arrest followed a search by Illinois State Police special agents of a storage unit at Floit Brothers Self Storage, 416 Wyman St., Sycamore.

After police discovered the lab, the Illinois State Police’s Methamphetamine Response Team took over, said Illinois state trooper Bruce Orns.

State police also uncovered information that led them to an outdoor location in Sycamore where they found a cannabis-growing operation. Upon arrival, police seized 14 cannabis plants, the whole of which had an estimated street value of $14,000.

McMillan was charged with possession of methamphetamine manufacturing material, unlawful use of property and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver. McMillan was also charged with possession of cannabis and unlawful production of cannabis sativa plants.

More charges may hit McMillan after the Illinois State Police crime lab completes its tests on the evidence.

State police enlisted private hazardous material crews to remove the materials found in the labs, Orns said.

McMillan was living in his parent’s Sycamore home. They declined comment.

Methamphetamine is considered the fastest-growing illicit drug in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC also reported 1,791 incidents involving methamphetamine between Jan. 1, 2000 and June 30, 2004.

“As of right now, around the Chicagoland area, we aren’t running into them every week,” Orns said.

He also said the problem is more evident further west and downstate, and this is only the second lab of its kind found in the DeKalb area in about a year and a half.

“Many meth labs are found through fires and explosions,” said Jon Carnahan, chair of NIU’s chemistry department.

Out of the 1,791 CDC-reported episodes involving methamphetamine, 558 incidences resulted in 947 injuries. Out of the those injured, 531 were police officers.

Safety standards in these labs are often very low. Many times they will have tanks of anhydrous ammonium hung up with straps, Carnahan said.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, children were present at more than 20 percent of seized meth labs last year.

Christopher Schimmel is a City Reporter for the Northern Star.