STUART, VA. — A methamphetamine operation has been uncovered at a Patrick County landmark, which was within sight of the sheriff’s office and conducted in the presence of children.

The discovery Wednesday evening led to the arrest of two Patrick residents and a man from Henry County on felony charges.

Authorities received information about 6 p.m. Wednesday that a clandestine meth lab was being operated in a room of The Virginian Motel, a longtime establishment on Blue Ridge Street in uptown Stuart.

County deputies responded to the motel and, upon investigation, discovered the lab in Room 109, according to Sheriff Dan Smith.

Smith said the lab appeared to be operational and that a special evidence-recovery unit from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Virginia State Police were called in to assist.

The three people connected to the operation subsequently were charged with possession of precursor materials with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and manufacturing methamphetamine while in the presence of children ages 7 and 9.

Arrested were Kevin Wayne Woods, 35, of High Point Church Road in Stuart; Jason Leonard Staples, 28, of Cherry Creek Road in Meadows of Dan; and Greta Bowman McAdams, 40, of Bassett.

Due to the dangerous and potentially toxic nature of chemicals that are associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, a hazardous material removal unit had to respond to the scene in order to dispose of items found in the room. The sheriff added that this process is mandated by DEA regulations.

“This is a sad state of society, thankfully the children were unharmed,” Smith said.

On Thursday, he was urging anyone with information pertaining to the case to contact the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office at (276) 694-3161.