Meth lab found in Thornville; man in custody

The Perry County Sheriff's Office and Central Ohio Drug Enforcement Task Force seized a methamphetamine lab Saturday at 14876 Empire Road in Thornville.

It was the second lab seized at the residence in two weeks, with the last being Dec. 19. The sheriff's office said authorities received information that meth was being produced at the residence.

The sheriff's office said suspects were followed to a grocery store in Hebron, where they were witnessed buying supplies used to produce meth. Detectives followed the vehicle the suspects were in back to Perry County and made a traffic stop. Items consistent with meth production were found inside the car, the sheriff's office reported.

Authorities later searched the Empire Road address and seized more items associated with the manufacturing of meth.

A 35-year-old Baltimore man was taken into custody and is being detained at the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail in Nelsonville awaiting formal charges. His name has not been released.

Two other suspects were identified as a result of the investigation, and their cases will be presented to the Perry County grand jury soon, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office reported 40 meth lab busts in Perry County in 2013. Since 2012, the sheriff's office has been involved with more than 150 meth lab seizures.