Deputy finds meth lab at Emlyn home

Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies discovered an active one-step methamphetamine lab at an Emlyn residence late Saturday afternoon.

About 5 p.m., Deputy Jonas Saunders went to the US25W South residence about four miles south of Williamsburg after getting an anonymous tip that a meth lab might be there, according to court documents and a sheriff’s department release.

When Saunders arrived at the residence, he made contact with Robert Charles Trabish Jr., 32, who was the only one there at the time.

Trabish gave police permission to search the residence and Saunders discovered the meth lab under the porch steps behind the trailer, according to the arrest citation.

When Saunders entered the residence, he discovered several meth lab components in the kitchen floor, including: lantern fuel, drain cleaner, coffee filters, clear green tubing and rock salt, the arrest citation stated.

Saunders charged Trabish, 32, with manufacture of methamphetamine and lodged him in the Whitley County Detention Center.

Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Special Investigations (DESI) responded to the scene and took control of and safely disposed of the meth lab.

Trabish was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning in Whitley District Court, but his arraignment had to be postponed because he was in the hospital, according to court documents.

Whitley District Judge Fred White postponed Trabish’s arraignment until Sept. 12, and set a $10,000 unsecured bond in his case. The bond conditions require Trabish to wear an ankle-monitoring device.

According to the detention center’s website, Trabish was released from jail on bond about 2:31 p.m. Tuesday.
Detective Derek Eubanks assisted with the investigation.