CORTLAND, N.Y. — Five people were arrested in connection with a meth lab that was discovered inside a motel room in Cortlandville early Tuesday morning.
At around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers from the Cortland County Sheriff's Office responded to the Cortland Motel at 3832 Route 11 in Polkville after receiving a complaint of "a chemical odor and people acting suspicious," the sheriff's office said.
Officers arrived to find a strong chemical smell coming from one of the motel rooms. Five people who were inside the motel room were then escorted out and transported to the Cortland County Sheriff's Office, according to Lt. Todd Caufield.
While the individuals were being led out of the room, officers saw several components used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine inside the room, the sheriff's office said.
After the five people were detained, the officers made arrangements with motel management to evacuate the neighboring rooms and relocate the occupants to other rooms on the property as a precautionary measure.
Investigators then made arrangements with the New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Response Team (NYSP CCSERT) to assist in the cleanup of hazardous materials and evidence.
A portion of the motel was closed for about 11 hours until the investigation was completed. Several items used to manufacture meth were seized, including lab equipment, solvents, reagents and precursors, authorities said.
All five suspects were arraigned in Cortlandville Town Court on a felony charge of third-degree unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine, along with misdemeanor charges of conspiracy and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $1,500 cash or $3,000 property bond for each defendant.
The defendants are as follows:
– Ryan D. Nolan, 30, of Cortland
— Sherry L. Cummings, 26, of Dryden
— Michael E. Hutchings, 34, of Cortland
— Dana Perreault, of Cortland
— Natalie C. Castor, of Homer
