(KSL News) Use of the insidious drug methamphetamine has skyrocketed in Utah and across the country. It's hard to imagine the problem could get any worse. But local authorities say it just has.

Monday night, they busted a new generation meth lab in Bluffdale, one that hasn't been seen except on the East Coast.

As a result of an investigation, DEA agents and the county narcotics unit took down a meth lab at a duplex in Bluffdale. But this one is unlike any other meth lab these investigators have seen.

Lt. Teri Sommers, Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "This lab process is more commonly used back east."

It's different because of what the meth cooks are NOT using.

Lt. Teri Sommers/ Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "There's actually no precursors involved in this process, versus the previous methods we're seeing used with the red phosphorous."

That could make it harder to catch meth makers because one of investigators' chief methods now is to track the sale of the precursors that go into the drug.

In this case, the lab was set up in a small storage shed next to the carport. Two adults-- a male and female in their twenties-- were arrested. A 12-year-old boy was in the house and is now with one of his biological parents.

The people who share the duplex say they had no idea meth was being made next door. They did wonder where their neighbors' money was coming from.

Lt. Teri Sommers/ Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office: "The information we have is they're not employed, but they have been making their rent payments."

Narcotics officers say the couple was probably turning out between one and two ounces of meth a week.