Eight people were behind bars Friday after McMinn County sheriff’s deputies made a large meth lab bust on Thursday.
Sheriff Joe Guy said deputies responded to a residence, 3322 Highway 39 West, on a report of a methamphetamine lab.
When Deputies Jason Pickel and Jared Price arrived they noticed a strong chemical odor associated in the manufacture of meth, Guy said.
Deputies then searched the home and found a large number of volatile and potentially explosive products used to make meth.
“These are everyday items, but in this case combining them can lead to dangerous chemical reactions,” Guy said.
Meth-certified deputies Guy McGill and Richard Robinson responded to the scene to assist in working and processing the lab.
In all, eight people who were either in the home or just outside on the property were taken into custody, Guy said.
According to the McMinn County Justice Center’s Register of Prisoners, Donna Lynn Hardin, 31; Lindsey Martin, 49; Arlin Martin, 59; William Lyons, 41; Gabrial Bandy, 35; Brian Thurman, 26; Wendell Wallisa, 45; and Hasgail Crabtree, 35, were arrested on meth charges.
According to Guy the home belonged to Crabtree.