Authorities serving civil papers Tuesday morning discover a meth amphetamine lab at 2120 Underwood Lane.
Jeffrey Alan Arthur is in custody for operating the lab, which is the second discovery in a week.
(Photo by Jon Mayhew/The Carolina Scoop)


SECOND METH LAB FOUND IN LINCOLN IN A WEEK

By Jon Mayhew

WEST LINCOLN -- For a second time in a week, authorities discovered a meth lab in operation in Western Lincoln County. Around 9 a.m., Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputy D.R. Long was serving an eviction at a residence at 2120 Underwood Lane.

After several attempts to get the tenant to the door, identified as Jeffrey Alan Arthur, the landlord and Long were going to cut a padlock off the front door. As they were attempting to gain entry, Arthur appeared from the back door of the residence.

"I informed him he was being evicted," said Deputy Long. "I told him he had a few minutes to gather some personal things."

Long followed Arthur into the residence and saw a milky white substance in a pickle jar. When he asked the suspect what was in the jar, Arthur opened the jar and sniffed it, telling the deputy is was dishwashing detergent.

Long said because of his training regarding discovering meth amphetamine, he knew better.

"I actually saw the lab upon further investigation," said Long, adding he immediately went outside to detain Arthur for questioning.

According to Long, Arthur wasn't going to go quietly; he tried to run from Long but didn't get too far.

"If I hadn't had the proper training, then I probably wouldn't know what I was involved in," said Long. "My training helped me to be aware of the situation."

Sheriff Tim Daugherty said the incident started unfolding around 9 a.m. Underwood Lane is off of Rock Dam Road, which is off of Highway 27.

Sheriff Daugherty said that meth amphetamine is highly combustable, often involving propane gas and open flame. Throw in a mobile home and meth labs become even more dangerous.

"The time to clean-up the lab depends on the size of the lab," said Daugherty. "Sometimes, it will take between four and six hours."

Daugherty confirmed it was the second meth lab in a week and the fourth lab in the next six months. Despite tougher meth laws in North Carolina, Daugherty said the ingredients to make meth can still be found.

And the labs are getting smaller, according to the Sheriff.

"What we're starting to see is meth labs that are going mobile," said Daugherty. "We're ifnding them in briefcases or backpacks or suitcases."

Daugherty said the lab at Underwood Lane was not a mobile lab.

Lincoln County Emergency Management Director Susan Spake said several agencies responded to the scene including the Sheriff's Department; the Lincoln County drug task force; Howards Creek Fire Department; the State Bureau of Investigation; Lincoln County EMS and Lincoln County Emergency Management.

Not including the costs of clean-up of the meth lab, which are handled by the SBI, Spake said the administrative costs are lengthy.

"It costs up to $5,000 to respond to a meth lab, and that's only the administrative costs," said Spake. "Environmental services will be out to check the mobile home to see if the landlord can rent it again."

Arthur is being held at the Harven A. Crouse Detention Center under a $75,000 bond and is facing the following charges:
Manfucture of a Controlled Substance, Posession of a Controlled Substance, Posession of Drug Paraphernalia, Posession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.