Published: November 12, 2009 11:08 am      

Burned-out headlight leads to charges for rolling meth lab

After a 10-mile chase, police arrested two men who were accused of cooking meth in their truck as they sped through Rockcastle and Laurel counties.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington noticed a Toyota truck with a headlight out traveling southbound on U.S. 25 in Rockcastle County just after midnight Monday.

Pennington turned on his lights and sirens to try to stop the truck, but the driver kept on going, increasing his speed to 90 mph. Pennington chased the truck into Laurel County until it drove over a tire deflation device that was put in place by Sgt. Steve Walker.

“They tried to turn up KY 3434 at Pittsburg Crossing,” KSP Trooper 1st Class Don Trosper said. “Then they baled out and ran. (Police) chased them down and captured them both.”

Inside the truck, Pennington found an active meth lab.

He charged Ford J. Wagers, 24, of London, and Frankie Powell, 29, of Brodhead, with fleeing or evading the police, unlawful possession of meth precursors and several traffic offenses.

Both men were lodged in the Rockcastle County Detention Center.

Trosper said KSP troopers are finding more and more meth labs while patrolling the roadways.

“Meth labs, unfortunately, can be mobile and this seems to be occurring quite often,” Trosper said. “If it’s in a house, the other people in the home might know about the lab or the neighbors might know it. They’ll be cooking them in their vehicle to keep them on the move.”

Pennington is continuing the investigation and was assisted at the scene by Trooper Mike King, Trooper Chris Roberts, Trooper Fred Pennington, Walker, the Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, the London Police Department and the Laurel County Department of Public Safety.

Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.