George W. Ash

A two-year investigation paid off on Friday when deputies from the Tyler County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant and seized a man and his wife suspected of operating a meth lab in the back end of the county.

George W. Ash, 45, and Diana Ash, 45, were arrested at their home near Deep Valley on Friday evening in connection with the alleged operation of a clandestine lab, a felony offense carrying a possible penalty of not less than two years and not more than 10 years in a state correctional facility or a fine of not less than $5,000 or more than $25,000, or both.

The deputies found several items on the premises during the search operation to indicate the operation of a clandestine lab and the investigation is ongoing with the possibility of more charges being brought forth in the future.

Deputy J.L Richardson commented, “Even though my name was on the formal complaint, the entire Sheriff’s Department worked as a team in the investigation that lead to the arrests.”

Illegal clandestine drug labs are typically used to manufacture methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, speed or crank. After an illegal meth lab is discovered by law enforcement officials, the bulk of the lab-related materials are usually removed to avoid health risk.

Diana Ash

Clandestine labs can be located in motels and in residential areas including houses, apartments, and garages. Mobile labs have also been found in vehicles and discarded along roadsides or in parking lots throughout the country.

The Tyler County Sheriff’s Department was assisted in the execution of the search warrant by the West Virginia State Police, Doddridge County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency out of Wheeling.

George and Diana are currently being housed in the North Central Regional Jail. Bond for each defendant has been set for $50,000.