Routine call leads deputy to meth lab; one man arrested

A routine call early Saturday morning led a Whitley County Sheriff’s deputy to the discovery of an active methamphetamine lab.

About 2 a.m., Deputy Jonas Saunders was on a call on Clifford Canada Road when he received an anonymous tip about possible drug activity and a methamphetamine lab, Sheriff Colan Harrell said in a release.

Saunders investigation led him to Ronald Canada’s 311 Clifford Canada Road home where he found Canada inside a blue camper trailer.

When Saunders made contact with Canada, he could smell a strong chemical at the residence, Harrell said in the release.

Upon further investigation, Saunders discovered several narcotics, including 20 round green pills believed to be Klonopin, seven small round white pills believed to be Neurontin, and four Suboxone strips, the release noted.

Saunders also found a bottle with tubing and a substance inside believed to be methamphetamine. He found an active meth lab in a black bag under the bed where Canada was seated, according to the release.

Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement Special Investigations officers responded to the scene and properly disposed of the meth lab after confirming an active lab with two HCL generators and several other meth precursors, the release stated.

Saunders arrested Canada, 46, charging him with manufacture of methamphetamine, two counts of third-degree possession of a controlled substance, second-degree possession of a controlled substance and prescription controlled substance not in original container.

Canada was also served with three Whitley County arrest warrants.

He was lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond in the methamphetamine manufacturing case.