Four Arrested for Two Meth Labs in Lexington County

Four suspects have been arrested after Lexington County officers busted two meth labs on Friday, April 4th.

Garrett Hutto, 50, Marla Minick Hutto, 49, Wayne Ray McGee, 53, and William Edward Luke, 53, were arrested for operating two meth labs in adjacent homes near Pine Drive. Garrett Hutto faces drug charges including third-offense manufacturing methamphetamine, third-offense possession of methamphetamine and unlawfully altering pseudoephedrine. Marla Hutton has been charged with third-offense manufacturing methamphetamine, second-offense possession of a controlled substance and unlawfully altering pseudoephedrine. McGee was charged with third-offense manufacturing methamphetamine, third-offense possession of methamphetamine and second-offense unlawfully altering pseudoephedrine, while Luke was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine, unlawfully altering pseudoephedrine, improperly disposing of waste from a methamphetamine laboratory and simple possession of marijuana.

According to police reports, around 8:27 PM on Friday, April 4th, Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) acted on a tip about possible meth labs from Crimestoppers. After receiving a search warrant, officers went to the Huttos’ home, where they found a meth lab and arrested the Huttos. While at the residence, officers smelled what they believed to be an active meth lab at the neighboring residence. When officers went to that house, they found a reaction vessel that had been used to manufacture methamphetamine, along with two scales, and a small plastic container that contained several grams of marijuana.

Officers successfully dismantled the meth labs and equipment, and disposed of the paraphernalia.

The Rise of Meth Labs in South Carolina

Statistics from 2000 show that South Carolina had one of the lowest rates of methamphetamine use in the country. However, those numbers are changing as meth labs become more portable, and meth manufacturers become more savvy. Between 2007 and 2011, incidents of busted meth labs increased more than 10 times – 26 in 2007, to 267 in 2011. News reports show meth lab busts in some part of South Carolina nearly every week.

Two years ago, South Carolina lawmakers attempted to stop the fast-growing trend by placing limits on the amount of pseudoephedrine customers can purchase, and pharmacists – who keep the drug behind counters – swipe the customer’s driver’s license to see if limits have been met. Electronic tracking should, in theory, stop meth manufacturers from buying large amounts of the necessary chemical.

However, the portable meth labs use less of the drug by creating smaller amounts of methamphetamine.

All meth labs use dangerous, deadly chemicals, and are prone to explosions – even the portable ones. In the shake and bake method, manufacturers must constantly unscrew the lid of the bottle to relieve pressure. When not monitored closely, the bottles can explode, spraying dangerous chemicals everywhere.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Meth Lab Drug Crimes Charges

The drug crime attorneys at Strom Law Firm, LLC will aggressively defend your case whether you are under investigation or have been arrested for drugs in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina as well as the Federal Courts in Georgia. Drug cases, including meth lab busts, need to be examined from every angle, and in many cases are subject to mandatory minimum sentences. Aggressive representation can protect your future. Drug crime charges and drug busts in South Carolina are very serious. If you have been charged with possession, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today by calling (803)252-4800.