Cortland County Deputies Stumble Onto Meth Lab

Cortland County Sheriff's officials say they found a meth lab while they were tracking down a person wanted on a warrant.

Officers arriving at a home on Cheningo Solon Pond Road in Cincinnatus June 10 say they smelled chemicals and found the active methamphetamine laboratory.

25 year old Zackery Burlingame was found in the home and allegedly in possession of the drug-making operation.

Deputies say after the site was secured of the hazardous conditions, the homeowner was contacted and consented to a search of the property.

Authorities say they found several items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine along with a small indoor marijuana growing operation.

Burlingame is charged with unlawful growing of marijuana, criminal possession of a controlled substance, felony criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine, unlawful disposal of methamphetamine laboratory materials, unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon for having chukka sticks and brass knuckles.

He was sent to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $3,500 bail.

The man, who was originally being sought on the warrant for parole violation, Jarod O'Neil, had fled the location. He was found and arrested the next day.