A police investigation led to the capture of a Decatur County man on multiple felony charges Thursday.
A joint operation conducted by the Greensburg Police Department, Columbus Police Narcotics Unit and the ISP Drug Enforcement Section resulted in the arrest of James Lazzell, 43, of Greensburg.
A search warrant was executed for the Lazzell home on C.R. 1050 West during the early morning hours of Nov. 21.
“Inside the residence numerous loaded firearms were located, along with a quantity of marijuana exceeding 280 grams, prescription medication individually packaged in cellophane as well as individual packages of methamphetamines were located,” Greensburg Police Chief Stacey Chasteen stated.
Police say the individually packaged prescription medication in cellophane is commonly for street level distribution.
According to Chasteen, law enforcement officials made a stunning discovery in the basement of the home.
“A clandestine methamphetamine laboratory along with a ventilation system used to extract the chemical gases put off by the manufacturing of methamphetamines from the room,” she described.
Police believe methampethamines may have been recently manufactured, due to the components located.
“Equipment located indicated that the process was being done in a fasion to rapidly produce methamphetamines,” Chasteen said. “An altered air tank was also found containing multiple gallsons of anhydrous ammonia.”
Qualified law enforcement members dismantled the meth lab, Chasteen reported.
Chasteen indicated that Lazzell may potentially face charges through the Indiana DNR after conservation officers collected numerous pieces of evidence from the home.
Lazzell is lodged in the Decatur County Jail under suspicion of the following crimes:
- Dealing (manufacturing) in Methamphetamine, as a class B Felony.
- Possession of Marijuana over 30 grams, as a class D Felony.
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, as a Class D Felony.
- Maintaining a Common Nusance, as a class D Felony.
- Possession of Paraphernalia, as a class A Misdemeanor.
“Shortly after officers left the [home], information was received that Jason Lazzell was at the residence. With continued support and assistance from the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies took Jason Lazzell into custody,” concluded Chasteen.
Jason Lazzell, whose relation to James Lazzell was not released by police, was taken into custody for arrest warrants out of Bartholomew and Johnson counties.
