DOBSON — A Mount Airy man is behind bars on multiple drug-related charges after police say he was operating a methamphetamine lab in his home with children present, according to Sheriff Graham Atkinson.

According to a written statement issued Friday afternoon, investigators with the sheriff’s office on Wednesday received information from the Department of Social Services regarding possible drug activity and child endangerment at a home located at 155 Pinecone Lane.

“Officers went to (the residence) and discovered a one-pot methamphetamine lab located behind the residence,” Atkinson said.

Two adults and one child were in the residence at the time, according to the statement.

“A search warrant was obtained for the residence and officers located a total of five one-pot methamphetamine labs,” Atkinson said.

In addition, officers reportedly discovered chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and a firearm police described as a “long gun.”

Timothy Reid Hopkins, 28, who Atkinson said was on probation at the time of his arrest, was taken into custody and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, maintaining a drug house and the possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held in the Surry County Jail under a $10,000 bond.

At the time of his arrest, Hopkins was allegedly waiting for three more children to return home from school, police said.

Although the search and arrests apparently took place on Wednesday, the sheriff did not release any information on the case until late Friday afternoon.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.