Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

For Immediate Release…. November 18, 2010

Citizen’s Complaint Leads to Discovery of Meth Lab

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones reports that a citizen’s complaint led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab. The Sheriff’s BURN taskforce received an anonymous complaint of a possible methamphetamine lab located at 2412 Smith Road, in Ross Township. It was discovered that the alleged lab operator, Troy Smith, is on probation with Butler County Adult Probation, for a previous possession of cocaine. The BURN taskforce then notified Butler County Probation of the allegation. The Butler County Probation Department decided to perform a probation search of Smith’s residence and asked the BURN taskforce and Ross Township police to assist.

On 11-17-2010, at approximately 6p.m., Butler County Probation, accompanied by BURN taskforce agents and Ross Township Police, arrived at Smith’s residence. Smith was cooperative and immediately showed the Probation Officer and undercover agents the remnants of his last cook. Also located was everything needed to begin cooking again. The lab was split up in the kitchen and garage. It appears that Smith was preparing the beginning stages of a cook in his kitchen and then moving it to the garage to actually cook the methamphetamine. Located in the kitchen was Pseudoephedrine, Lithium strips, and other meth making materials. Located in the garage was anhydrous ammonia, remnants of a previous cook, tubing, and other containers.

The BURN Taskforce credits a citizen tip that led to the investigation. The BURN Taskforce receives tips through an anonymous tip line at 513-887-3029 and the Sheriff’s website at www.butlersheriff.org. Complainants can leave their tips anonymously or with their information for follow up calls by BURN agents.

Arrested:
Troy Smith, age 39
Smith Road, Ross Township

Charges:
Manufacturing Methamphetamine, felony 2
Assembly of Chemicals, felony 3
Possession of Methamphetamine, felony 5
Violation of Probation

Prepared by:
Sgt. Todd Langmeyer
Butler County Sheriff’s Regional Narcotics (BURN) taskforce