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Beth Sergent

bsergent@heartlandpublications.com

GALLIPOLIS FERRY — Three people have been arrested and a fourth remains at large after a suspected meth lab was busted over the weekend on Crab Creek Rd.

According to the Mason County Sheriff’s Department, on Sunday, Sept. 2, Lt. Greene and Deputy Ferrell responded to 2765 Crab Creek Rd. in reference to trespassers in a vacant home.

According to the sheriff’s department, upon arrival, the officers discovered four subjects inside the home which also allegedly contained an active “shake and bake” meth lab as well as numerous other components for methamphetamine production.

“Shake and bake” meth labs commonly combine all the ingredients to make meth into a two-liter bottle or sports drink bottle (one with thicker plastic to withstand expansion), then the ingredients are shaken up inside the bottle, allowing the drug to be manufactured significantly faster (in one to two hours) than a traditional meth lab. The “shake and bake” labs are also highly mobile and have been found in everything from the trunks of cars to backpacks.

Arrested at the scene in Gallipolis Ferry were Christopher Arrington, 33, Gallipolis Ferry, Misty Litchfield, 40, Henderson and Robin Zuransky, 44, Nelsonville, Ohio.

The press release from the sheriff’s department also says in relation to the Crab Creek Rd. meth bust, Johnathan Beaver, 31, Huntington, was transported to an unnamed hospital by personnel with Mason County EMS due to a previous injury. Though it remains unclear what happened to Beaver once he arrived at the hospital, the sheriff’s department is asking for anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact deputies at 304-675-3838.

The sheriff’s department has obtained warrants for Beaver’s arrest for allegedly operating a clandestine laboratory.