Gallia County Sheriff’s Office meth lab technicians responded to three meth lab-related calls on Tuesday. Pictured are a sheriff’s office meth lab technician, right, along with firefighters with the Gallipolis Fire Department on scene at a residence on Kemper Hollow Road where multiple meth labs were reportedly discovered on Tuesday afternoon.

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GALLIA COUNTY — Two one-pot meth labs were uncovered on Tuesday morning in the City of Gallipolis after a Gallipolis Police officer investigating a theft complaint discovered a discarded lab in the area of 1700 Chatham Avenue, while two additional labs were found on Tuesday by Gallia County Sheriff’s Deputies.

According to a press release issued by the Gallipolis Police Department, the officer and the citizen filing the theft complaint located the lab, and, after a meth lab technician with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and neutralized the lab, a second active one-pot lab was found in a residence near where the first lab was found.

“This just shows what being vigilant can do. The citizen located the lab, and the officer recognized it for what it was,” Gallipolis Police Chief Clint Patterson said. “It’s lucky that someone who knew what they were dealing with found the lab rather than a child or some unsuspecting adult who might have suffered adverse consequences.”

Three people have reportedly been connected to the house where the labs were discovered and an investigation continues into their involvement with the illegal manufacture of drugs.

Charges are reportedly expected to be filed in the near future.

Also responding to the scene were firefighters with the Gallipolis Fire Department and Gallia County Emergency Medical Services.

Two additional meth labs were also discovered by law enforcement on Tuesday in Gallia County.

The first lab was reportedly found at approximately 1 a.m. at a residence located at 3636 Ohio 850.

The discovery reportedly followed an anonymous tip that led deputies to the residence where an active lab was found, along with precursor ingredients used in the manufacture of the illegal drug.

Charges of illegal manufacture of methamphetamine are reportedly pending against two adults who were at the home at the time of the discovery.

Gallia County Children Services officials were also reportedly called to the scene and are investigating the incident as two minor children were located at the home.

A third lab was reportedly discovered at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

This discovery came after deputies were alerted of the purchase of pseudoephedrine at a local pharmacy through the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEx), a system utilized by law enforcement and pharmacies that monitors the purchase of the precursor ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Deputies alerted probation officers with the Gallipolis Municipal Court and a subsequent probation search of a residence located at 2730 Kemper Hollow Road led to the discovery of an additional meth labs.

Three suspects were arrested at the scene and charges of the illegal manufacture of drugs are pending against suspects. They are currently being held in the Gallia County Jail.

Firefighters with the Gallipolis Fire Department and Gallia County EMS also responded to this meth lab.

Anyone with information in regard to possible meth lab activity in Gallia County is encouraged to contact the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office tip-line at (740) 446-6555. Individuals who believe they may have discovered a possible meth lab are advised not to touch the possible lab, but to leave the area and call 911 immediately.