Two arrests made after meth lab discovered in Columbia hotel

COLUMBIA — A methamphetamine lab was accidentally discovered by Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers Friday.

The lab was located at the Midway Budget Inn on West Cunningham Drive. While helping Boone County fire personnel in an unrelated incident, the state troopers smelled marijuana coming from a hotel room, said Sgt. Paul Reinsch, Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesman.

The troopers searched the room after knocking on the door and found methamphetamine ingredients and a non-cooking meth lab inside, he said.

Deidre Pratt, 29, and Chad K. Phillips, 44, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Further counts against Phillips include suspicion of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, tampering with physical evidence, unlawfully providing materials for production of a controlled substance and a second count of possession of drug paraphernalia, Reinsch said.

Phillips is still in Boone County Jail and his bond has not yet been set.  Pratt was released on a $9,000 bond, Reinsch said.