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December 15, 2011

Area task force busts ‘substantial’ meth lab

By JOSH NEWTON Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — Investigators with the Eastern Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force dismantled a “substantial” methamphetamine lab and arrested three people Tuesday night.

Arrested were Uriah Bluebird, 30; Amber Michelle Slover, 35; and Joseph Michael Baker, 32, all of Tahlequah.

Law enforcement officials with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Tahlequah Police Department, District 27 Drug Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives collaborated to seize the meth lab.

Investigators said they received information the three suspects were at a house on State Highway 10. All were wanted on warrants out of Cherokee or Muskogee counties, officers said.

Baker was found outside the residence, and Bluebird and Slover were allegedly found hiding in the home’s attic. Investigators say they discovered what they believe to be methamphetamine inside the attic with Bluebird and Slover. Officers said a “substantial” meth lab had been constructed inside the home, and items seized included numerous syringes, batteries, muriatic acid, and other supplies commonly used to manufacture meth.

Bluebird and Slover were booked for endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine, and Baker was arrested for his outstanding warrants, investigators said.

Officers from the CCSO, TPD and ATFE spent nearly three hours dismantling the meth lab, which they described as larger than typically found in this area, with more ingredients and more hazards.

Court records indicate Bluebird was wanted for failure to pay on a felony charge of endeavoring to manufacture controlled substance, possession of controlled substance, and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia in Muskogee County.

Slover was wanted on a bench warrant out of Cherokee County. Records show she had previously faced felony counts of trafficking in illegal drugs and knowingly concealing stolen property in Cherokee County, and possession of controlled substance in Muskogee County.

Court records show Baker has previously been charged with felony counts of second-degree burglary and possession of controlled substance in Cherokee County.

Investigators said the lab was about the fifth one found and dismantled so far this month.

“I’m proud of the cooperation between all the agencies, who continue to work together to combat this epidemic,” said Cherokee County Sheriff Norman Fisher. “These officers put in a lot of long hours combating the labs in an attempt to protect citizens.”

Tahlequah Police Chief Clay Mahaney echoed Fisher’s appreciation for the teamwork.

“We’re very fortunate to have a quality task force that is able to go out and protect its community and fight against the manufacture of these substances,” said Mahaney.

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