Three people were arrested when police executed a search warrant on a residence containing a methamphetamine lab, according to a statement from the Wadesboro Police Department.

A search was executed at roughly 10:15 a.m. Feb. 19 at 1500 Old Lilesville Road in Wadesboro. The operation included cooperation from several local and state agencies and was the result of a months-long investigation.

The three individuals arrested were Charles Daniel Winfree, 34, of Wadesboro, Gregory Bernard Mack, 41, of Ansonville and Carly Philmon, 25, of Wadesboro.

Among the chemicals found by authorities in the lab were ammonia, lithium, acetone and pseudoephedrine.

Some of these chemicals can be found at hardware stores or specialty stores catering to farmers. Others, like pseudoephedrine, are available at drug stores, but the sale of them is tightly regulated.

Lt. Thedis Spencer said some individuals have several people buy the maximum legal amount of the drug, to get around the regulations.

Detective Brian Tice said some chemicals are derived from other substances, like ammonia from fertilizer, while Spencer said lithium is derived from battery strips.

Winfree was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession/distribution of a precursor chemical, possession of drug paraphernalia, exceeding pseudoephedrine limits, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place, possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute methamphetamine. All of the charges except for possession of drug paraphernalia are felonies.

Mack was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute methamphetamine, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession/distribution of a precursor chemical and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Philmon was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute methamphetamine, possession/distribution of a precursor chemical and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All the suspects were placed in the Anson County Jail under a $500,000 bond.

The agencies involved included the Wadesboro Police Department, Anson County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Drug Task Force, the Wadesboro Fire Department, Anson County Emergency Management and the Anson County Emergency Medical Services.

The SBI Special Response Team and the Wadesboro Police Department's Special Emergency Response Team also aided in the execution of the search warrant.