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Police: 4 arrested, bomb found in Lakeland meth lab

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Polk County Sheriff's deputies reported today they found a homemade bomb, a boa constrictor and a variety of guns when they broke up a north Lakeland meth lab Friday.

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2009

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Aubrey Pettis Jr.

Diane Cox

Maurice Chancey

Misty Combee

Sabrina Crews

Polk County Sheriff's deputies reported today they found a homemade bomb, a boa constrictor and a variety of guns when they broke up a north Lakeland methamphetamine lab on Friday.

Four people were arrested on drug charges. A fifth person is being sought.

Investigators said that during their raid at 2302 Limedale Road they found:

-- A homemade bomb and bomb-making materials in a semi-trailer parked on the property. The semi-trailer also contained guns, ammunition and a silencer.

-- A meth lab and a cache of guns in an RV nearby.

-- A 12-foot boa constrictor, also in the RV. It was one of several animals removed from the property.

-- A Harley Davidson motorcycle reported stolen in 2008 by its Winter Haven owner.

When they entered the home at 2303 Limedale Road, detectives said they found meth, guns and drug equipment. They also found 50-year-old Diane Cox, her two daughters, Sabrina Crews, 31, and Misty Combee, 20, and the daughters' children, ages 6, 3 and 9 months.

Another person in the home, Aubrey Pettis Jr., 21, also was arrested.

Everyone arrested lived at the home, the sheriff's office said.

Detectives are seeking a fifth suspect, Maurice Chance, 40, who they say lived in the RV.

The three children found in the house are now in the custody of the Department of Children and Families, the sheriff's office reported.

Cox, who had been released from prison three days earlier for trafficking in meth, was charged with maintaining a dwelling for drug trafficking with a minor present.

Combee was charged with child neglect and with maintaining a dwelling for drug trafficking with a minor present.

Crews was charged with child neglect, maintaining a dwelling for drug trafficking with a minor present, trafficking in methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Pettis was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and maintaining a dwelling for drug trafficking with a minor present.

Chancey is being sought on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of a listed chemical, manufacturing of an explosive device, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintaining a dwelling for drug manufacturing with a minor present.

Investigators ask any with information about Chancey's whereabouts to call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (863) 534-6200.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 731-8168.

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