When Story County officers responded to a suspicious vehicle tip near an abandoned farmstead outside Ames early Monday, they found more than they bargained for.

After inspecting the area and smelling ether fumes in the air, police found three individuals hiding beneath a truck in one of the nearby buildings. The back of the truck, said Capt. Gary Foster of the Story County sheriff’s office, contained an active apparatus for manufacturing methamphetamine.

Police found Michael Mourlam, 26, of Ankeny; Craig Robinson, 22, of Colo; and Crystal McWherter, 22, of Coulter, on the scene. Police said it appeared the trio was in the process of making methamphetamine when the officers arrived.

Each person was charged with three counts of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of precursors with intent and one count of prohibited acts. In addition, Robinson was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Possession of methamphetamines is a Class B felony in Iowa, a charge which carries with it a maximum penalty of 50 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Penalties for a prohibited acts charge, another Class B felony, can range from a $5,000 to $100,000 fine, and up to 25 years in prison. Possession of precursors with intent is a Class D felony which can mean up to five years and as much as $75,000 fine.

The three were transported to the Story County Jail in Nevada to await an initial trial appearance. Officers also obtained a search warrant for Mourlam’s vehicle. Foster said officers found controlled substances and meth ingredients inside.

At least one of the individuals has a history of methamphetamine-related charges. In 2000, Mourlam twice faced charges of possession of ephedrine, ethyl ether and anhydrous ammonia, but the charges were dismissed. He was found guilty of possession of lithium in one case, and possession of a controlled substance in the other.

Foster said he didn’t think the three were likely to emerge from the charges unscathed.

“It seems fairly obvious to me that when you’ve got three people hidden under a vehicle in which an active meth lab is located, it’s going to be pretty tough to get out of it,” he said.

Foster characterized methamphetamines as being a particularly challenging threat to combat in the state.

“Drugs are a very real problem here in central Iowa, and methamphetamines seem to be the drug of choice,” he said. “We take it very seriously, and are actively fighting the methamphetamines problem.”

Story County police, he said, had adopted a three-pronged approach to dealing with methamphetamines, including education, patrol of anhydrous ammonia sites and prosecution of offenders.