Two arrested in Canadatown on methamphetamine charges

The investigation into a methamphetamine lab and explosive device, which was found in the Canadatown area on March 1, inadvertently resulted in the arrest of two more people on methamphetamine charges late Thursday evening.

About 11:42 p.m., Kentucky State Police Trooper Tony Dingess charged Bobby D. Canada II, 27, of 2568 Highway 204W, and Wayne C. Marcus, 32, of 74 Boyd White Road, with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Both were lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center where they are being held in lieu of $50,000 cash bonds.

Dingess went to Canada’s residence in an attempt to locate and interview him and Marcus in relation to an active federal investigation involving the manufacturing of methamphetamine, Dingess wrote on an arrest citation.

"Upon arrival, I observed a strong chemical odor coming from inside the residence. I knocked on the door and announced myself as state police, but no one answered," Dingess wrote.

Dingess then heard loud noises coming from inside the residence of what appeared to be unknown items hitting the floor and rustling against the rear bedroom wall.

Dingess entered the residence through an unlocked door because he feared the destruction of evidence, he wrote.

Dingess then located Canada inside the master bedroom where a one-step meth lab and HCL generator were located along with items used to manufacture methamphetamine, such as lithium batteries, coffee filters, lye, salt, plastic tubing, a funnel and Coleman fuel, according to citations.

"During a search incident to arrest of the accused person, I located cold medication containing pseudoephedrine, finished methamphetamine product and a hypodermic syringe," Dingess wrote.

Canada told police that the items belonged to Marcus, who police discovered hiding in the yard area of the residence in the weeds shortly after the discovery of the lab, according to a citation.

Dingess also charged Canada with unlawful possession of a meth precursor, possession of drug paraphernalia, first-degree possession of a controlled substance and second-degree possession of a controlled substance.

While jail staff were conducting an inventory of Canada’s wallet, they located one Suboxone strip, which is a schedule III narcotic.

Canada admitted to police that the Suboxone strip was his and that he didn’t have a prescription.

"He stated he had forgotten the thing was in his wallet," Dingess wrote.

About 1:03 a.m. Friday, KSP Trooper Les Moses served Marcus with three separate bench warrants charging him with non-payment of fines in three separate 2012 Whitley County misdemeanor cases.

Dingess is continuing the investigation and was assisted at the scene by officers from the Kentucky State Police and Bureau for Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On March 1, Williamsburg police charged Lisa Ball, 49, Daniel J. Moeser, 41, and Jerry Wayne White, 35, with manufacturing methamphetamine, first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and four counts of first-degree wanton endangerment.

The investigation began when a probation officer went to Ball and Moeser’s 421 Nannie Hubbard Road in the Canadatown community. Moeser is on parole and the probation officer was doing a standard home visit.

Williamsburg Police Chief Wayne Bird said that the probation officer initially discovered the active one-step meth lab in the bedroom of the home and contacted Williamsburg police. As officers continued the search, Williamsburg Police K-9 Officer Brandon Prewitt located a bomb.

"It is an ammonia-nitrate based explosive," Bird said, adding that neither Ball, Moser, nor the third individual found at the residence, Jerry White, made any comment as to the purpose of the bomb.

ATF agents were called to the scene. 

A KSP bomb squad defused the bomb.

Bird confirmed Friday afternoon that the March 1 case is the one that Dingess was attempting to follow-up on Thursday evening.