Local man arrested on drug-related charges

Indiana State Police arrested a local man after finding a meth lab, a marijuana-growing operation and improvised explosive devices at a residence west of Columbus.

Indiana State Police troopers went to 7650 W. State Road 46 at 6 p.m. Thursday to serve a search warrant after receiving information about illegal drug activity at the residence, said Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police spokesman.

The property is just west of North County Road 500W, just north of the westernmost Columbus city limits.

While serving the warrant, troopers located an operational methamphetamine lab, a marijuana-growing operation, about an ounce of methamphetamine, five grams of heroin, 25 pounds of marijuana, 10 pounds of pseudoephedrine and more than 75 firearms and ammunition. The troopers also found eight improvised explosive devices.

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Gregory A. Traylor, 59, who owns the residence and lives there, was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Manufacturing methamphetamine

Possession of methamphetamine

Dealing in a narcotic drug

Possession of a narcotic drug

Maintaining a common nuisance

Dealing in marijuana

Cultivating marijuana

Possession of marijuana

Possession of methamphetamine precursors with intent to manufacture

Possession of drug paraphernalia

Possession of a destructive device

Traylor is being held without bond in the Bartholomew County Jail, jail officials said.

Wheeles said the investigation is continuing and federal Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm investigators were called in due to the firearms and explosive devices found at the home.

He described the improvised explosive devices as miniature pipe bombs and said investigators have no idea of why he had the devices or why they were made. No injuries were reported while officers served the search warrant and made the arrest.

Indiana State Police’s All Crimes Policing Unit was assisted by the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, the Columbus Police Department’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team and federal authorities.