METHAMPHETAMINE LABS A GROWING PROBLEM THROUGHOUT THE REGION, OFFICIALS SAY

Methamphetamine is a problem drug that not only can be found in Hawkins
County - as evidenced by Friday's meth lab explosion - but in neighboring
counties as well.

"It's just a matter of time before it gets to be a very bad problem for
us," said Sullivan County District Attorney General Greeley Wells.

In recent years, two methamphetamine labs have been discovered in Sullivan
County - one in Bluff City and one in Bristol. But those cases were handled
by federal authorities, Wells said, because the federal law addressing meth
labs is stronger.

In fact, Wells said, Tennessee can't even prosecute a meth case when a lab
is located unless the drug is actually produced. The ingredients used in
methamphetamine production are not illegal to possess, he said, and most
can be purchased at the local drugstore.

But there is a federal law that makes it illegal to possess that
combination of ingredients, which is why the two labs found in Sullivan
County were handed over to federal authorities.

"In Tennessee, there is no charge unless there is actually some
methamphetamine on the site ... the end product," Wells said.

Wells said the reason there's no law on the books is the "legislature
doesn't have enough to fund that bill."

While only two labs have been found locally, many more have been uncovered
across the state, Wells said. In 1999, 102 labs were seized. In 2000, 168
were seized. And last year, law enforcers seized 353 labs.

"The unfortunate thing about them is you don't know they're there until
someone stumbles upon them," Wells said, and often that doesn't happen
until an explosion occurs.

Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney Joey Carico said the Wise County
Sheriff's Department discovered what he believes is the first meth lab ever
in the county earlier this year.

Mike Henry Toney, 51, of 2232-B Clinch Haven Road, Big Stone Gap, and his
wife, Laura Michelle Toney, 35, of the same address, are facing multiple
drug charges in connection with the manufacturing lab.

Carico said the department was investigating an arson in the Powell Valley
area when they went to the Toney home to question Mike Toney.

Carico said Laura Toney allowed the officers to search the home, where they
found a full-fledged methamphetamine lab.

Laura Toney told investigators the couple had acquired a recipe for the
drug and were trying to perfect it. The ingredients were items that can be
picked up at a local Wal-Mart, Carico said.

Mike Toney was indicted in April on one count of possessing with intent to
manufacture a Schedule I or II drug, one count of conspiring to distribute
methamphetamine, and one count of possessing a firearm after having been
convicted of a felony.

Laura Toney was also indicted on one count of manufacturing a Schedule I or
II drug and one count of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was called in to dismantle the
lab, said Carico.

"It's dangerous, and that's why they called in the feds and the drug task
force once they found that stuff, because it is extremely deadly," Carico said.

Although the lab in Powell Valley is the first to be found in Wise County,
Carico said he believes the drug is becoming more prevalent in Southwest
Virginia.

"It is becoming more prevalent because it is easier to get your hands on.
You can make it, and you don't have to go get a prescription for something
- - you can make it if you have a recipe for it," Carico said.

The Toneys could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted of
manufacturing methamphetamine. Carico said a second conviction of the
statute can bring down a life sentence for offenders in Virginia.