Raid on Copan house uncovers half-dozen meth labs

COPAN, Okla. - Two men are behind bars after two Washington County deputies in Copan followed their noses to a house with nearly a half-dozen suspected meth labs — two which were active, according to authorities.

Arrested were Copan resident Samuel Herring, 40, and Bartlesville resident Dennis Artherton, 45, now facing charges of unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance within 2,000 feet of a school, unlawful use of video surveillance while in commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Herring faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm while in commission of a felony.

According to Washington County Undersheriff Steve Johnson, two deputies in Copan Monday night smelled an odor commonly associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Following the scent, they were led to a house on the 200 block of E. Weldon where they then knocked on the door. Receiving no answer, and thinking the situation an emergency due to the danger presented to the area by a meth lab, they forced their way into the house.

Inside they found the two men as well as the half-dozen one-pot method meth labs.

According to Johnson, officials from the 11 ^th Judicial Drug Task Force were then called to take over the scene.

Speaking of his deputies, Johnson said “Because of their training, they did a good job and we were able to take this lab out that was dangerous for the community.”

During their appearances in Washington County District Court on Tuesday, the judge set their bonds to $30,000 each.

Herring and Arthurton are due back in court Wednesday.