Horry County police say methamphetamine use is on the rise in our area.
So far in 2012, NewsChannel 15 has reported on 13 meth lab busts on the Grand Strand and in the Pee Dee. Eight of those were in Horry County.
In 2011, NewsChannel 15 only reported on two.
"Overall it has gone up a touch," said Sgt. Robert Kegler with Horry County Police.
Last Wednesday,four people were arrested for a meth lab near Conway.
"They were actually preparing products to make an active cook for a meth," said Kegler.
Because of the increase in numbers, Horry County police encourage officers to look for signs of meth labs at every call they go to.
"They could show up for a domestic, for a larceny, any type of call and see what they believe may be a meth lab," said Sgt. Kegler.
Two of the people who were arrested in the bust last Wednesday have been arrested before for a meth lab in Horry County.
Lauren James and Trevor Giebell were arrested in February for arolling meth lab in a clothing store parking lot in Socastee.
James pled guilty in August and was sentenced to 218 days. She was credited for time already served.
Giebell's case is still pending.
