By David McArthur
SHEPHERDSVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) -- It was a busy morning Tuesday in Bullitt County Court, with nearly a dozen suspects facing drug charges. More are expected and unfortunately, some are way too familiar. WAVE 3's David McArthur has more.
"Due to my naivity, I put him in a NCR program," said a regretful Judge Bailey Taylor as he arraigned Matthew Martin for another meth charge. It was just weeks after Martin posted bond on another meth charge from September. This time he did not get the benefit of the doubt, and the judge ordered Martin's bond set at $100,000, full cash.
Martin was arrested Monday while parked at a gas station in a very dangerous situation. Police say he had a volatile mobile meth lab in the trunk.
Maj. Kenny Hardin, who heads up the Bullitt County Drug Task Force that arrested Martin and Ramon Robinson Monday, explains just how dangerous the situation could have become.
"This process is inherently dangerous, but it's a 2-hour process -- if it doesn't explode or catch on fire," Hardin said. Toss in the ingredients, cap it, throw it in the trunk and drive around."
Fortunately, the task force was tailing Martin and Robinson when they decided to park their mobile meth lab next to a gas station across from an elementary school on Highway 44.
It took three hours to neutralize the active ingredients in the trunk of the car.
The danger of making meth on the move is somewhat new, but the trend upward is steady. Six years ago, the Bullitt County Drug Task Force made 115 arrests involving meth labs; last year, it was 151.
And 'Tis the season for more arrests. Monday was a big day for drug busts with a total of 9 in Bullitt County alone.
Hardin says while depression problems go up around the holiday, drug dealers increase production to keep up with demand. "People that are selling drugs know this, and they are selling anything they can get to people that just want it."
Robinson spoke briefly during his arraignment, telling the judge he was unaware he was traveling with a potential bomb in the trunk. "I was a passenger in Martin's car and had no idea what was going on."
Judge Taylor wasn't buying it, but Robinson did fare a bit better on his bond request. Since he had no prior meth charges, his bond was set at $50,000, cash or property.
Both men are due back in court next week.
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