Officers Bust Meth Lab at West Columbia Motel

Officers arrested two people during a meth lab bust Monday at a West Columbia motel, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department. 

Ernest Lee Watts Jr., 51, and Scott Gregory Wolfe Jr., 23, both of West Columbia are each charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, according to the sheriff's department.

An employee at Delta Motel at 2426 Augusta Road told Lexington County Sheriff’s Department deputies around 8:45 a.m. Monday that a strong chemical odor was emanating from Room 18 at the motel, according to the sheriff's department. 

Deputies went to the motel room and placed Watts, who was in the room, in investigative detention. They then requested assistance from Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) officers.

Wolfe later drove up to the motel and walked towards Room 18 at the motel. Officers placed Wolfe in investigative detention.

NET officers executed a search warrant at the motel room and found one bottle that actively was being used as a reaction vessel to manufacture meth, according to the sheriff's department.

Officers arrested Watts and Wolfe on charges of manufacturing meth. They were being held on Monday at the Lexington County Detention Center while awaiting bond hearings.

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Lexington County to call the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department at 803-785-8230 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.