2 charged in connection with meth lab

VW independent/submitted information

Two men have been charged in connection with an alleged mobile meth lab operation discovered on Monday following a traffic stop.

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach announced that Austin Coyne, 21, of Convoy, and Jack Eddy, 18, of Payne, were both arrested by deputies. Both men were charged with one count of possession of chemicals for manufacture of drugs, a felony of the third degree.

Both Coyne and Eddy were transported to the Van Wert County Correctional Facility, where they are being held until an initial hearing in Van Wert Municipal Court.

Sheriff Riggenbach stated that, around 7:20 p.m. Monday, a deputy on patrol saw a vehicle commit a several traffic violations. The deputy then stopped the vehicle for those violations, but, during the traffic stop, also determined there were chemicals and components used to manufacture methamphetamine inside the vehicle.

Deputies then contacted the Ohio Attorney General’s Office’s Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation (BCI) in Columbus and BCI agents responded to the scene to process and dispose of the dangerous chemicals associated with the meth lab.  Investigators with the West Central Ohio Crime Task Force were also contacted and assisted with the investigation.

Sheriff Riggenbach said the investigation into this incident is continuing and additional charges may be filed. He also asked that anyone with information on drug activity contact the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office at 419.238.3866 or use the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office website at www.vanwertcountysheriff.com and click on the “Submit a Crime Tip” link.  Those giving information can remain anonymous.

People can also report information on other crimes by using the above options or by contacting Van Wert County Crime Stoppers at 419.238.STOP.  People can also remain anonymous when contacting Crime Stoppers.

The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force is comprised of officers from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, Lima Police Department, Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and several state and federal agencies.  The West Central Ohio Crime Task Force operates within a multi-county area to combat drugs and major crimes.