A Sycamore resident was arrested Monday in the first discovery of a methamphetamine lab in DeKalb County.

Verne D. Ivers, 35, of 145 North Ave. No. 102 was charged with parole violation. He awaits charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a meth lab in his garage used to create the stimulant, a controlled substance. Others may have been involved in the lab. An investigation continues.

Master Sgt. Kathie Griffith, supervisor of the DeKalb North Central Narcotics Task Force, said the discovery indicates that methamphetamines are moving into the northern Illinois region.

“I can’t say we have a methamphetamine problem yet, but this is exactly how it started in western and southern Illinois,” she said. “The earlier we catch on, the earlier we can put it to an end.”

The lab included a large glass jar containing liquid methamphetamines in the second-to-last stage of evolution. The final step would be to create a powder from the liquid, commonly referred to as “pounding it out.”

A hit of methamphetamines can produce a high lasting upwards of 24 hours. Chemicals found in Ivers’ lab that are used in the drug include ether and Coleman fuel.

The number of labs found by drug officials has been on the rise the past three years in Illinois, centralizing in downstate areas, according to NCNTF statistics. Griffith said it’s difficult to catch many of the lab attendants because materials now can be contained in small boxes. These boxes are transported in car trunks and other hard-to-detect areas.

NCNTF officers were notified of Ivers’ whereabouts after learning he was wanted on a warrant for parole violation. The information included the possibility of a lab located within his residence. Ivers’ arrest outside his house was a calculated move meant to lessen the safety risks inherent in discovering methamphetamine labs.

“The chemicals are all flammable, and the mixing is a dangerous process,” Griffith said. “… Many people create booby traps in case the labs are discovered.”

Federal Drug Enforcement Agency personnel were brought in from Rockford to dismantle the lab and collect samples for future prosecution.

Ivers’ arrest was accompanied by the arrest of his neighbor, Timothy Alan Elliott, 42, of 145 North Ave. No. 202. Elliott was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. He allegedly had between 30 and 500 grams of cannabis in his possession.

Although no charges have been officially filed, Griffith said recent legislation has made the possession of chemicals used together in producing methamphetamines, such as ether and Coleman fuel, a criminal offense if suspicion is high enough.