Meth Lab Discovered by GPD, One Charged

The Glasgow Police Department told The Glasgow Courier that on Friday, June 22, Leighton Scott Hughes was arrested and charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to dangerous drugs. As of press time, Hughes had been charged with the operation of a clandestine laboratory for the production of a dangerous drug, namely methamphetamine; the possession of dangerous drugs for both marijuana and meth; possession of drug paraphernalia; criminal possession of dangerous drug precursors for the production of meth; and finally endangering the welfare of a child. Currently, Hughes is being held at the Valley County Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

According to Chief of Glasgow Police Bruce Barstad, and Assistant Chief Brian Gault, a misdemeanor arrest warrant for assault was being served on Hughes by GPD Officer Tim Fischer on Friday when the officer discovered meth on Hughes during the arrest. After interviewing the other occupants of the house, it was discovered that meth had been smoked inside the residence.

A search warrant was issued for the residence and during the execution of that warrant a lab for producing meth was discovered, along with the precursors, paraphernalia and marijuana plants, which were being grown in the home. The GPD then notified the Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation – Narcotics Bureau and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency who secured the meth lab and hired a specialized clean-up contractor out of Salt Lake City, Utah, to render the house safe.

According to Gault, the house will be added to a MT Department of Environmental Quality list of houses containing meth residue until it has been totally reclaimed. Following that process the home can be rented out once more.

If convicted of the most serious charge of operating a meth lab, Hughes faces up to 40 years in prison and a fine of $25,000. For possession of methamphetamine and for endangering the welfare of a child, Hughes faces up to five years in prison for each offense.

The investigation is being led by the GPD with assistance from the Valley County Sheriff's Office, the Tri-Agency Narcotics Task Force, DCI-Narcotics Bureau, DEA and the local Montana Highway Patrol K-9 Unit.