Seat belt violation leads to meth bust

SHELBYVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - A traffic stop in Allegan County led to a drug bust in Barry County and a man being arraigned on many charges.

Two Michigan State Police troopers stopped a vehicle on Feb. 25 in Shelbyville because they noticed the driver was not wearing the seat belt.

After speaking with the driver and passenger as an investigation began, the passenger was cited for open alcohol, the driver was found to have methamphetamine in his possession, and a one-pot methamphetamine lab and other methamphetamine components were located in the vehicle.

The investigation continued to a residence in Barry County owned by the driver, where an additional one-pot meth lab and more meth components were found, according to a news release.

The driver was arrested and taken to the Allegan County Jail. George Kent, 49, from Delton, was later arraigned on charges of operating/maintaining a meth lab, possession of meth, use of meth and operating while intoxicated - drugs.

His bond was set at $40,000.

Officers from the Allegan County Sheriff's Department and West Michigan Enforcement Team assisted in the investigation.