Franklin County expects record of meth lab busts this year

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FRANKLIN COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Franklin County expects record breaking  meth lab busts this year.

Lieutenant Brandt Gawor is doing more than watching other drivers.

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"I've had a traffic stop in the past where there was definitely evidence of cooking meth," says Lt. Gawor.

Surprisingly the dangerous combination is common.

"We're actually finding mobile meth labs in vehicles unfortunately it's happening more and more often," says Gawor.

Meth is undeniably a huge problem in our the southwest Virginia area. Franklin County saw a jump in discovered labs in recent years.

In 2013, police found 10 meth labs. In 2014, that number jumped to 20 and this year there were 15.

Franklin County officials say 2015 could be a record year and believe a reason behind the increase is because staff is more educated on the drug.

"We're able to provide more officers on the road to take a proactive stance," says Capt. Paul Caldwell. "With those officers we're able to with assistance from the DEA and Virginia State Police."

Another way the sheriff's office is fighting the drug is by restructuring its department.

This year it put more deputies on the road and says it's working seeing how many people they've caught making meth.


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