Information about Meth Lab Gathered Following a Traffic Stop and a Burglary Investigation

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies executed a search warrant in the early morning of June 29 for a property located at 10440 Springville-Boston Road in Concord.

The Sheriff’s Office was acting on information developed from a previous narcotics arrest following a traffic stop and a burglary arrest.   Multiple units searched the property of Dawn Smercak and Hugh Smith and during the search Deputies discovered chemicals, materials, and supplies used in the manufacturing of methamphetamines.  Deputies also discovered a switchblade knife and a .308 caliber rifle with the serial numbers defaced.

Following the search, 48-year-old Dawn Smercak was arrested and charged with felony counts of unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamines, unlawful disposal of meth lab materials, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a defaced weapon, and willful defacement of a gun.  She is also charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of meth manufacturing materials and criminal possession of a knife.

Hugh Smith, 46, is charged with felony counts of unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamines, unlawful disposal of meth lab materials, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a defaced weapon, and willful defacement of a gun.  Additionally, he is charged with criminal possession of meth manufacturing materials.

Both defendants are being held at the Erie County Holding Center pending their arraignment

The Sheriff’s Office contacted the New York State Police Clandestine Lab Unit to dismantle the meth lab.