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Relatives arrested in connected Sandston meth lab bust at separate homes

Posted at 10:28 PM, Apr 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-06 23:10:49-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Two adult males were arrested Wednesday during a meth lab bust at two separate Sandston homes, one along the 3100 block of Danville Street and the other along the 100 block of Huntsman Road.

The two men have been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Police confirmed at least one of the homes had meth making materials.

Sources tell CBS 6 two children, ages five and seven, have been placed in the care of other family members, because police say the homes they were living in, were being used as meth labs.

Wearing special orange protective suits, HAZMAT crews methodically cleared the scene in Sandston of dangerous chemicals Wednesday afternoon.

Sandston meth lab bust

"If it's not mixed the right way or not ‘burped’ right, a drop of water or even a spark, could trigger an explosion that not only affects the house, but an area around it,” said Dustin Pinkham, who considers himself an expert in all things methamphetamine.

"Coming off withdrawals is the hardest thing I've done in my life,” said Pinkham, who’s now going on five months clean. "I’m clean today, yes, but I can't promise it tomorrow."

When Pinkham learned two children lived inside the homes police were searching for evidence of meth manufacturing, he was shocked.

"It's alarming on every level,” said Pinkham. “A child shouldn't be subjected to that kind of chemical. The vapors are very harmful. It's mind blowing a child would be in that situation."

Sandston meth lab bust

Police confirm the two men arrested are related, and said the investigation is ongoing.

People living in the East End community said they knew something was wrong when they kept smelling a foul odor.

"From high grade stuff to shake ‘n bake stuff you mix in a toilet, it's all as dangerous as the other," said Pinkham.

Henrico police said both addresses, one on Huntsman Road and the other on Danville Road, are connected.

Police tell CBS 6 additional charges are a strong possibility.

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