SYRACUSE — Officers in Meigs County responded to the 20th methamphetamine lab of 2012 on Saturday night, this one in the Village of Syracuse.

This was the third active meth lab found in Meigs County in the past two weeks.

According to Syracuse Police Officer Mike Smith, the active, three-vessel lab was found at a home on Dusky Street in Syracuse.

Sheriff Robert Beegle stated that the property owner was out of state, but signed a form allowing for a search of the residence.

Beegle added that the discovery of the lab was part of an ongoing investigation.

No arrests were made at the time of the discovery. The investigation by the Syracuse Police Department is continuing.

Officers from the Middleport Police Department were on scene to neutralize the chemicals according to the training they have completed. The Syracuse Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the residence in case of fire.

Two people were arrested just days earlier in connection with the 19th meth lab of the year.

Julee G. Athey, 35, of Pomeroy was charged with two counts of illegal possession of chemicals in Meigs County Court last week. Both charges are a felony of the second degree.

Her husband, Matthew A. Athey, 34, of Pomeroy, faces the same charges of illegal possession of chemicals.

The lab was found in a residence on Willow Creek Road near Pomeroy.

On November 10, Raymond Sayre, 40, of Racine was arrested following the discovery of 20 one-pot vessels at his residence.

Sayre has been charged with illegal manufacture of drugs, a felony of the first degree; illegal possession of chemicals, a felony of the second degree; and four counts endangering children, a felony of the third degree. Sayre plead not guilty to all charges.

With the increase in meth labs in the county, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation will be offering a methamphetamine lab awareness training from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 4 in the Southern Elementary Cafeteria. Dennis Lowe from Ohio BCI will be the instructor for the training. The training is open to the public.

Several area agencies recently took part in a similar training, with an additional training scheduled for the Department of Job and Family Services in the coming weeks.