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MSU Arrests 31-Year-Old for Meth Lab in Wells Hall

5/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Michigan State University police arrested 31-year-old Xin Tong for operating a methamphetamine lab that damaged Wells Hall.
Tong was arraigned on April 30, 2026, and held on a $500,000 bond.
Police recovered sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and butane from the site.
Wells Hall was evacuated on Monday, stayed closed through May 1, 2026, and 469 exams were moved while safety tests found no community risk.

History

Historical Context

In 1995 the FBI and Department of Justice shut down a secret UC San Diego chemical-weapons lab, seizing over 200 gallons of reagents and 150 pounds of sodium hydroxide and imposing a $1.2 million fine. The 1995 crackdown echoes Cold-War-era fears sparked by the 1968 Dugway sheep-kill and Nixon’s 1969 renunciation, prompting today’s stricter campus chemical audits, as seen in Michigan State University’s recent meth-lab arrest.

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Story summary

Michigan State University police arrested 31-year-old Xin Tong for operating a methamphetamine lab that damaged Wells Hall.
Tong was arraigned on April 30, 2026, and held on a $500,000 bond.
Police recovered sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and butane from the site.
Wells Hall was evacuated on Monday, stayed closed through May 1, 2026, and 469 exams were moved while safety tests found no community risk.

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