Russell investigators bust methamphetamine lab

When the law arrived, the methamphetamine was still cooking. It was 8 p.m. Thursday evening when the investigators from the Russell County Sheriff's Department busted a methamphetamine lab at No. 9 Harmony Place in Phenix City. Lt. Heath Taylor said the bust was the "culmination of a month long investigation." The value of the drugs found was between $8,000 and $10,000.

Arrested were John Allen Tharpe Jr., 44, and his wife Stephanie Tharpe, 38. Both are in the Russell County Jail. Tharpe was charged with the selling of methamphetamine, the manufacture of a controlled substance, trafficking of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana in the first degree. His wife was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana in the second degree.

Taylor said there was a loaded single barrel shotgun in the house. "There was no resistance during the arrest," said Taylor. Tharpe was at home when the investigators arrived with search and arrest warrants. "His wife arrived while we there," said Taylor. Taylor said labs such as this one are very dangerous. A Haz-mat unit came out to clean the area.