VALDOSTA, GA -
A tip leads Valdosta Police to a meth lab at a hotel.
Law enforcers evacuated a half dozen rooms Thursday night. They say 43-year old Stephen Smith made meth in his room at the extended stay Studio Courtyard, creating a dangerous situation.
43-year-old Stephen Smith was arrested last night after Valdosta Police found a meth lab at the room where he was staying at the Studio Courtyards on North Ashley Street.
"He had in fact been cooking meth inside the apartment for some time but not at the time of the search warrant," said Valdosta Police Commander Brian Childress.
It wasn't an active lab but the police evacuated six surrounding rooms.
The hazardous waste disposal group Care Environmental Corp. volunteered do the clean up. They provide needed help to law enforcement agencies in cases like this.
"Last year we received notification from the Drug Enforcement Agency and from the government that they no longer fund the meth lab clean ups," said Childress.
Commander Childress says they don't see a lot of meth labs in the city.
"In the city alone probably two or three a year," said Childress. "They use chemicals to cook and make this stuff, acetones, highly combustible."
Thankfully the lab in room 110 wasn't active because it could've been very dangerous even explosive.
Stephen Smith is charged with possession of meth, manufacturing meth, and possession of tools to commit a crime.
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