(no subject)
6 arrested in meth-lab raids
Richmond Times-Dispatch Apr 16, 2005
Morning raids shut down methamphetamine labs at three New Kent County homes Thursday, authorities said yesterday.
Acting on a tip from a local merchant, the New Kent Sheriff's Office began an investigation that resulted in the arrests of six people at the homes located off U.S. 60 east of Providence Forge. Authorities said the arrests put an end to the first methamphetamine labs discovered in the central Virginia area.
With the help of state and federal agencies, New Kent authorities conducted a two-month investigation after the owner of the Hobby Horse Tack & Feed in Providence Forge reported large purchases of tincture iodine, an essential element in the production of methamphetamines.
New Kent Sheriff F.W. Howard Jr. credits the business owner for the drug bust. "Her call alerting us to the iodine is what really started the investigation rolling. If she had not reported it, these people would still be running a meth lab."
Those arrested are scheduled to appear in New Kent General District Court on Tuesday. They are:
Kenneth Edgar Harmon, 22, charged with felony manufacture of a controlled substance and felony conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance;
Autumn Olivia Keckhaver, 21, charged with felony conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance;
Paula Marie Curtin, 34, charged with felony conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance;
Richard Alan Zaleski, 38, charged with felony manufacture of a controlled substance and felony conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance;
Toni Marlene Zaleski, 53, charged with felony manufacture of a controlled substance and felony conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance; and
Robert Charles Hunt Jr., 37, charged with felony conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
The Department of Social Services took custody of three children, ranging in age from 9 to 13, who were found in the homes during the raid.
Methamphetamine, also known as meth, produces a high similar to cocaine and is just as potently addictive. Also called speed, ice or crank, it is typically sold as a pill, powder or crystal and taken by injection, smoking or snorting. It can give a long-lasting alertness and euphoria and can keep abusers up for days.
Authorities said yesterday that the manufacture of methamphetamine has usually been a problem in Southwest Virginia but that they have warned it is evidently moving into eastern Virginia.