Dustin Carver

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Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

A Portsmouth man has been arrested and charged with operating a methamphetamine lab. Dustin Carver, 32, of 4228 Dever St., has been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine within 100 feet of a juvenile, a felony of the first degree and illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine, a felony of the third degree.

Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini and Portsmouth Police Chief Robert Ware said on Wednesday, at approximately 11:40 a.m., detectives from the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force found a clandestine “One Pot” Methamphetamine Lab inside Carver’s residence.

According to Donini, Task Force detectives had received information that Meth production activity was taking place at the residence, leading them to visit the residence and obtaining consent from Carver to search the residence. Upon a search of the residence, detectives said they not only discovered chemicals and materials used to manufacture methamphetamine, but an active “one pot” methamphetamine cook.

Carver reportedly admitted to producing methamphetamine and was arrested. He was arraigned in Portsmouth Municipal Court at 9 a.m. on Thursday, and is now being held in the Scioto County Jail on $175,000 bond.

Donini said the case against Carver will be forwarded to the Scioto County Prosecutor’s Office to be presented to a Scioto County grand jury for the consideration of additional felony criminal charges.

Donini and Chief Ware said anyone wishing to leave drug information for the Southern Ohio Drug Task Force, may contact the Sheriff’s Office drug line at 740-351-1094, the Portsmouth Police Department drug line at 740-354-DRUG (3784) or email drugs@sciotocountysheriff.com. All information will be kept confidential and anonymous.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 252, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.