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<p>WEST WYOMING &#8212; A suspected fentanyl lab was discovered on Eighth Street in West Wyoming on Wednesday morning and two people were arrested, according to borough police.</p><p>According to police officer in charge Jason Slatcoff, a search warrant was executed at about 11 a.m. on a residence that law enforcement had under surveillance for about six months.</p><p>George Kohler, 50, was charged with crimes related to the manufacturing, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of fentanyl, along with reckless endangerment, risking catastrophe and charges associated with hazardous chemicals possession, use and storage.</p><p>Michelle McDonald, 26, was charged with conspiracy and related crimes.</p><p>Slatcoff said he believes Kohler was from New York City but that he had resided here for several years.</p><p>He said the amount of the substances found indicate the suspects were dealing the drug, as well as using it.</p><p>Slatcoff said the search warrant, arrest of the two suspects and seizure of the substance believed to be fentanyl was the result of an ongoing effort of the police department, in conjunction with the state Attorney General&#8217;s Office.</p><p>The Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team arrived at the site shortly after 3 p.m., with special vehicles equipped to remove potentially toxic substances from crime scenes.</p><p>Slatcoff said officials originally believed they were dealing with carfentanil, but after some initial testing, came to believe the substance to be fentanyl.</p><p>Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that has a clinical potency 10,000 times higher than morphine or pure heroin and 100 times higher than fentanyl based on information from the state Department of Health.</p><p>Officials were immediately concerned with the safety of members of the team, ascertaining the location of local hospitals and emergency support available if needed.</p><p>Slatcoff noted the toxicity of fentanyl and other drugs, making it necessary for law enforcement to proceed with caution.</p><p>Slatcoff said that neighbors, while concerned about the possible presence of drug dealers in their neighborhood, had expressed support of the borough&#8217;s efforts.</p><p>He said the operation was made possible by support of the Attorney General&#8217;s Office and the Luzerne County District Attorney&#8217;s office.</p><p>&#8220;As a borough, we don&#8217;t have the resources to do this ourselves,&#8221; he said, noting dozens of state and local emergency responders. &#8220;But, we know how seek out resources that allow us to make major efforts to get drugs out of our area.&#8221;</p><p>He said the &#8220;little apartment building&#8221; had been cleared as of 2 p.m.</p><p>Slatcoff credited the Attorney General&#8217;s Office, Wyoming Borough Police, the District Attorney&#8217;s office, the National Guard, Plains Township Special operations and emergency responders from West Wyoming, Wyoming, Exeter and West Pittston for making the success of the operation and the safety of residents possible.</p><p>&#8220;Even after the arrest of these men, this investigation is far from over,&#8221; said Slatcoff. &#8220;We want to find out more about how these drugs got into our neighborhood.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Law enforcement investigate a suspected fentanyl making operation in a residence on Terrace Drive in West Wyoming on Wednesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_fentanyl01-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Law enforcement investigate a suspected fentanyl making operation in a residence on Terrace Drive in West Wyoming on Wednesday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_fentanyl02-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Law enforcement investigate a suspected fentanyl making operation in a residence on Terrace Drive in West Wyoming on Wednesday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_fentanyl02-2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Law enforcement investigate a suspected fentanyl making operation in a residence on Terrace Drive in West Wyoming on Wednesday. </caption1><photoCredit1>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_20160817_170557201681719453348-2.jpeg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_20160817_170557201681719453348-2.jpeg</photo2><caption2></caption2><photoCredit2>Pete G. Wilcox | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

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Police investigating possible fentanyl lab in West Wyoming