Six Kentucky Responders Exposed to Fumes at Meth Lab

Two men were charged with making methamphetamine at a Scott County lab where a trooper and five deputy sheriffs were exposed to fumes Thursday, Kentucky State Police said.

The officers responded to a complaint of a possible meth lab in northern Scott County shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday.

They arrived at a trailer on North Dividing Ridge Road. One man inside the trailer poured ingredients down a kitchen sink drain in an attempt to cover up the activities, Trooper Ron Turley said in a release.

The trooper and Scott County deputies, who were not identified, entered the trailer and were exposed to meth lab fumes, Turley said.

The officers were treated by Scott County emergency medical technicians for bronchial irritation. They also were treated at a Lexington hospital and released, Turley said.

Jeremy T. Centers, 36, of Sadieville, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, tampering with physical evidence, and six counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. He was also treated by Scott County EMS.

Phillip M. Jean, 32, of Georgetown, was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. He and Centers were taken to the Scott County Detention Center.

A state police response team was called to the scene to dismantle the lab and clean the scene.Anonymous drug tips can be reported by calling any state police post or calling 1-800-DOPE-TIP.

Copyright 2011 - The Lexington Herald-Leader, Ky.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service