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TELLICO PLAINS -- Authorities looking for a fugitive raided a Tellico Plains mobile home Monday afternoon and found three people cooking methamphetamine.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office narcotics agents, along with Tellico Plains Police, raided the home at 224 South Babcock St. about 3 p.m. and found one man they went looking for, but he did not want to go to jail.

Authorities requested assistance from other officers, but officers were able to apprehend the fugitive, Clifford Allen Watkins, 46, within a few moments.

Tellico Plains Police Sgt. Brian Millsaps requested Tellico Plains Volunteer Fire Department to come to the scene to check the home for a fire after he noticed "an unidentified source of smoke inside."

After a few moments MCSO narcotics agent Conway Mason requested Monroe County Haz-Mat to come to the scene for "decontamination."

TPPD Sgt. Rodney Cathey told reporters there were three persons in custody and an active lab was found inside the residence.

Mason said it appeared the three were attempting to destroy the lab before authorities broke open the door.

MCSO Lt. Travis Jones explained that detectives and agents had executed three "knock-and-talks" searching for "this" lab, and two of the three persons arrested had been at every one.

According to Narcotics Agent Ben Baker, he had received a tip that Watkins had been seen in a small red car. Authorities found a small red Dodge Neon at the residence and found Watkins inside.

The others taken into custody were identified as Jerrenne Sloan, 29, Mecca Pike, Tellico Plains, and Donald Wayne Hindman, 41, current address unavailable.

'One-pot' method

Authorities described the lab as a "one-pot" method and numerous components were found inside the "disgusting home."

Authorities said the residence had several dogs and cats inside, and it was covered in feces. They also said the residence was unlivable.

Components were also found in the Neon, officers explained. All three will be charged in connection to the drug manufacturing.

Several Tellico Plains residents came by to thank law enforcement, saying, "Thank you for cleaning this up, Now our kids can play outside."

Several children were standing across the street from the scene, waiting for the church bus.

Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Department responded to assist Tellico Plains Volunteer Fire Department with the reported smoke alert.

Haz-Mat members set up a decontamination tent at the scene and cleaned contaminated fire personnel as well as Lt. Jones and Agent Mason, along with Watkins and Hindman. Sloan was taken to Monroe County Jail for her decontamination.