Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
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VIAN, OKLAHOMA - The Cherokee Nation Marshals recently busted one of the largest methamphetamine laboratories found this year in northeastern Oklahoma.

"This was the largest one (meth labs) we’ve done this year", said Garland Thompson, sergeant with the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. "They were capable of making 3 or 4 ounces of meth at one time. That’s enough for 30 to 50 people to use in a day with a value of $5600 to $6000."

Four suspects were arrested without incident in connection with the working methamphetamine laboratory in rural Sequoyah County. They are Patti Bullock, 22 of Gore, Bill Leaf, 52, Troy Payne, 41, and Miranda Taylor, 20, all of Vian. Taylor has since been released and is not facing charges. Bullock, Leaf, and Payne are charged with manufacturing controlled and dangerous substances, possession of controlled and dangerous substances, and possession of firearms during the commission of a felony. Leaf is being held on $100,000 bond and Payne, who was out on parole at the time of the arrest, is being held on a $250,000 bond in the Muskogee County Detention Center. Bullock has been released on bond.

"I could smell it as soon as I got out of the vehicle", said Sharon Wright, captain with the Marshal Service who describes the smell as being very acidic. "We had EMS check out all of the suspects before they were booked to make sure they were okay. A lab that big could cause some real health problems."

The lab was contained inside of an abandoned house on the property. It had been converted to a laboratory strictly for methamphetamine production. There was another house in front of the lab house that was used as the primary residence. Law enforcement officials seized 2 ounces of methamphetamine in the production stage, 3 ounces of meth in the finished form that was ready for consumption with a street value of approximately $6000, marijuana, other drug paraphernalia, 5 rifles, 1 handgun, 2 sets of scales used for measuring meth ingredients, assorted plastic bags, and several gallons of chemicals commonly used in methamphetamine production.

The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service entered the residence on a search warrant obtained after an on-going investigation of the location. This was not the Marshal’s first trip to this home. In October of 2000, Leaf’s son, Jeff, was arrested for homicide and in January of 2002, another son, Brian was arrested for shooting his girlfriend and attempting to kidnap her and her son. Both Leaf brothers are currently serving sentences for these charges in the federal prison system.

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma Attn: (Department Name) P.O. Box 948, Tahlequah, OK 74465 Telephone: 918-456-0671 (Toll Free OK) 1-800-256-0671