Man, woman busted in meth lab raid

A Libby man and woman have been charged with operating a methamphetamine lab at an apartment off Farm to Market Road.

Michael Shane Nelson, 31, and Mary Aileen Iovino, 40, were arrested Nov. 19 after officers from the Lincoln County Sheriff¹s Office executed a search warrant at 368 Farm to Market Road. Both were charged with operation of a clandestine laboratory, felony drug possession and possession of precursors to dangerous drugs along with misdemeanor counts of drug and drug paraphernalia possession. Combined, the charges carry potential penalties of more than 65 years and fines of more than $200,000.

Detectives from the sheriff¹s office began investigating Nelson and Iovino in July after receiving information that they had bought items associated with methamphetamine production at local businesses. During the days preceding the issuance of the search warrant, detectives made arrangements to search garbage that originated at their apartment and found suspected waste products from methamphetamine production.

According to court documents, the search turned up various items associated with methamphetamine production along with two pipes used for smoking the drug and a small amount of marijuana and associated paraphernalia.

After the search was completed, a hazardous materials contractor was called in to remove the hazardous chemicals and materials.