HANCOCK, Vt. -
Police say three Vermont meth manufacturers, and users are off the streets. After someone tipped police off that a meth lab was inside a trailer in Hancock, investigators put a stop to it.
This story is still developing, when I left Hancock today, dozens of police and hazmat crews were still gathering evidence from the scene. We actually told you this morning about the three who were arrested, and today I caught up with them in court. They all pleaded not guilty.
Police say what once housed a meth lab is now the site of an ongoing drug investigation. Police say 44 year old Michael Wood, 20 year old Steven Arnold and 32 year old Meegan Smith were all using and making meth in a trailer just off highway 125 in Hancock.
"The chemicals that are used are very volatile and it posed a significant safety risk," Addison County Assistant Attorney General Robert Menzel said.
In exchange for a lighter sentence, someone agreed to become an informant for police. The informant was wired when he or she purchased meth from the accused dealers. Jeffrey Andrews lives close by, and has known Wood for years.
"He's a really good hearted guy, it's kind of sad that he's going down this path," Andrews said.
Andrews also knows Arnold and was shocked to hear he may be involved.
"I know his parents and I'm sure they're probably pretty devastated right about now," Andrews said.
Fortunately there aren't many homes in this area; the next closest house is about six hundred feet away, because often times meth labs can be explosive.
"It's scary that this is going on," Andrews said.
Police say the drug dealers were selling meth primarily to high school students. The meth lab was originally in the woods behind Wood's home, but after it blew up, the operation was moved indoors. In court, the assistant attorney general fought hard for pricey bail and the maximum time in prison... 15 years.
"I'd like to see them get the help that they need," Andrews added.
Given the severity of the crime, strength of the evidence and trio's prior criminal record, Wood's bail was set at 75 thousand dollars, Arnold's was set at 25 thousand and Smith is being held without bail because she has outstanding warrants for other meth related crimes in New York.
