Meth Lab Seized in Batesburg

Officers with the Lexington County Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team on Wednesday seized a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory at a home on Fairview Road near Batesburg. 

It's at least the sixth such seizure this year in the county, and the third in the Batesburg-Leesville area.

Officers arrested a 42-year man who owns the home on charges that he operated the methamphetamine laboratory at his residence, a release said.

Lexington County Sheriff James Metts said NET officers arrested Brian Christopher Bledsoe, 42, of 6218 Fairview Road, Batesburg, on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possessing methamphetamine, and possessing marijuana. 

Bledsoe was being held Thursday at the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

After receiving a tip on Wednesday, NET officers searched Bledsoe’s home and found three mason jars that allegedly contained methamphetamine oil under the bathroom sink in Bledsoe’s bedroom. Officers said also allege they found equipment that can be used to manufacture methamphetamine in a hidden compartment in a closet in Bledsoe’s bedroom.

Officers searched a dresser in Bledsoe’s bedroom and found one small plastic bag that allegedly contained about one gram of methamphetamine and one small plastic bag that allegedly contained about one gram of marijuana, Metts said. Officers then arrested Bledsoe at his home.

Metts asked 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.