Birdseye meth lab found early Thursday morning

Pseudoephedrine purchase logs assisted in deputies finding an active methamphetamine lab at a Birdseye residence early this morning.

Deputies were serving a warrant for an unrelated case when they noticed a strong chemical odor emanating from an SUV parked at a nearby residence. Officer determined the Oldsmobile Bravada belonged to 25-year-old Andrew F. Schmitt, of  Jasper, a name familiar to deputies from the suspicious pseudoephedrine purchases.

The deputies made contact with Schmitt, and two other occupants, 24-year-old Raymond K. Petry of Huntingburg and 3422-year-old Amanda K. Smith of Jasper, and received consent to search the vehicle. During the search they uncovered the working lab, product, precursors and paraphernalia.

All three were charged with Manufacturing Meth (Class B felony), Possession of Meth (Class D felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (Class D felony), Possession of Precursors (Class D felony) and Possession of Syringe (Class D felony) and booked into the Dubois County Security Center early this morning.

The Indiana State Police clandestine lab team was called to the scene to dismantle the lab.

The investigation is continuing as deputies have other suspects related to this arrest.