KANAUGA — An anonymous citizen complaint led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab on Wednesday — the third lab discovered in Gallia County this month.

The lab was discovered and later neutralized by a Gallia County Sheriff’s Office meth lab technician, with the assistance of a meth lab technician of the Middleport Police Department, at a residence located on Burnett Road in the Kanauga area of Gallipolis Township.

Reportedly, a deputy arrived at the residence at approximately 7:30 p.m. on August 22, and, after being given consent to search the residence, discovered an active “one pot/shake and bake” meth lab inside the home, along with paraphernalia indicating that the illegal drugs had been manufactured and used within the residence.

The home was cleared, and the Gallipolis Fire Department was dispatched to standby at the residence during the cleaning of the lab.

Following the neutralization of the hazardous materials, the remnants of the “one pot” lab were properly disposed of by the officers.

The names of the suspects in this case have not been released, and no arrests have yet been made.

Charges, including the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine, are pending consultation with the Gallia County Prosecutor’s Office and positive lab results of the illegal drugs from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation.

According to the police report, the manufacturing was occurring at the home in the presence of two juveniles, ages eight and nine years. The illegal manufacture of methamphetamine is generally classified in the Ohio justice system as a felony of the second degree, but is elevated to a first degree felony when it is manufactured in the presence of juveniles or within the vicinity of a school.

A previous meth lab was neutralized by sheriff’s office deputies on Saturday, August 19 after the “one pot” lab was found in a duffel bag next to Johnson’s Ridge Road in Addison Township.

As of press time, no arrests have been made in connection with the discovery of this lab.

In a third unrelated case, three individuals were arrested following the discovery of a meth lab at their residence on August 15.

Travis Klein, 23, Lisa J. Klein, 43, and Ashley L. Hamilton, 28, all of 908 Story’s Run Road, Cheshire Township, have been charged in the Gallipolis Municipal Court with the illegal manufacture of drugs.

Cases against all three of the defendants are expected to be bound over to the Common Pleas Court of Gallia County where a grand jury with hear charges against the suspects.

To report suspicious behavior related to the possible illegal manufacture of drugs, contact the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office tip-line at (740) 446-6555 to leave an anonymous tip.