ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Deputies said they found an active meth lab near a middle school in Alexander County.
Five people are facing felony charges in the case, including manufacturing methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school.
The home is within walking distance of the front doors of East Alexander Middle School. The district alerted parents through an automated phone message about the bust.
“It was upsetting to know that something like that could be going on so close to the school,” said mother Carla Young. “But unfortunately, it is in the area."
Deputies said not only did they find meth inside the home, but when they first got there, one woman was making the drug. Before they left, the SBI put up a warning sign about the hazardous chemicals found there.
“Once we found out the location was across from the school, we made it our top priority to get these people in custody as quickly as we can,” said Capt. Chad Pennell with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office. “We don't want it to happen anywhere in Alexander County, but especially in front of a school.”
Deputies believe the bust may be linked to a second meth house discovered Wednesday closer to Taylorsville. They said their investigation is not over and they expect more arrests in the case.
Some parents, like Dino Sanchez, have already talked with their children.
“I was just telling my daughter how they won't be able to live there. It destroys the environment, destroys nature, destroys the house. It destroys everything,” Sanchez said.