Published: May 26, 2009 08:55 am      

Police bust ‘largest meth lab in Laurel’

Times-Tribune Staff Report

Police arrested two Lily men Thursday for operating what UNITE officials are calling the “largest methamphetamine” lab in Laurel County.

According to a release from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, Adam Sprinkles, 31, of Vanzant Road and Scott Patterson, 32, of Walnut Road were charged with manufacturing meth after Narcotics Detective Brad Mitchell received information that the men were making meth at a home at 568 Vanzant Road.

After executing a search warrant, police say they found approximately 1,000 matchbooks that had the striker plates removed. Meth cookers remove the plates and use the red phosphorus in the plates as part of the meth production process.

Police also found 10 glass jars that contained pseudoephedrine “pill soaks and chemical solutions,” iodine crystals, gas masks and “numerous other items used in the manufacturing of meth.”

According to the release, UNITE Detective Brian Lewis led the cleanup of the lab and said it was the largest meth lab that UNITE has cleaned up in Laurel County.

Patterson, one of the men arrested, has been charged with meth manufacturing before, according to the release.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Department deputies Bo Harris, Greg Poynter, Joey Vicini and Derek Price assisted at the scene.

Also assisting at the scene from Operation UNITE were Ian Dalrymple, Brian Metzger and Patrick Robinson. Laurel County Divison of Safety officials Zach Bryson, Chance McPeek, Albert Hale and Brad Smith also assisted at the scene.