Five charged in meth lab bust

MAT-SU — In what has lately been something of a rare occurrence in the Valley, Alaska State Troopers took down a meth lab Tuesday.

According to a trooper press statement, the case started with troopers investigating several suspects who had apparently purchased more than their legally allotted limit of cold medication in a 30-day period.

As part of the investigation, troopers served a search warrant off of Popes Road where they arrested Linda S. Howard, 35, of Palmer, on charges of possessing a meth precursor and purchasing more than her allotment of cold medications.

Another warrant was served off of Victor Lane where Louis W. Byard, 38, of Wasilla, was arrested for domestic violence assault. Both he and another suspect, Kimberly D. Burden, 41, of Wasilla, were also charged with purchasing more than their allotment of cold medications and possessing a meth precursor.

Troopers say their investigation into those three arrests led them to believe that Burden, Byard and Howard were buying cold medication for a meth lab off of Goodfishin Avenue in Caswell Lakes.

They got a third search warrant and served it there, at about midnight on Wednesday.

“During the Search Warrant service, investigators located a methamphetamine lab (one-pot method) at the home, as well as a litany of meth-related listed chemicals,” according to the trooper report.

A one-pot meth lab is a method of cooking the drug that has become increasingly common in jurisdictions in the Lower 48. It is popular, officials there say, despite its lower yield, because it is a quicker and safer way to manufacture meth.

Also at the house in Caswell troopers found Bobby A. Davis, 53, of Caswell Lakes, who they say is responsible for the lab. He was charged with numerous felonies including producing methamphetamine and weapons misconduct.

The next day, troopers say, they arrested a fifth person for supplying Davis with cold medications — Naoming L. Bote, 29, of Willow.