LUCAS — A group of people picking up trash Monday along a rural road near Lucas in Russell County found something more than cans and paper bags littering the ground.

According to Russell County Sheriff John Fletcher, they found a backpack containing meth lab trash.

The sheriff’s office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene to clean up the site.

Fletcher warned all people working in rural areas, whether picking up roadside trash or cleaning up farm locations, should contact their local sheriff or police department if anything suspicious is located.

“Clandestine meth labs, even when they are not active, contain dangerous chemicals and can injure people if they’re exposed to it,” Fletcher said in a news release.

“Call law enforcement so they can investigate the scene and safely clean up the area.” Fletcher added.