Four people are behind bars and police are looking for one more after deputies bust a suspected meth lab. The Johnson County Sheriff's Department says thanks to a tip from concerned neighbors, their community is safer. Although it was a small operation, Johnson County Sergeant Tom Wyatt says if it weren't for that tip, those four suspects could have put a child, their neighbors and themselves in a lot of danger.

A call late Thursday afternoon brought Johnson County deputies to the home in Paintsville. Inside investigators say they found drug paraphernalia and items used to cook meth, including poisonous chemicals and items used to traffic the drug. Katherine Shepherd, Billy Dorton, Billy Shepherd and James Sours, all of Paintsville, are each charged with possession of meth precursors.

"Posed a significant threat to their neighbors in the trailer park community especially to themselves and their child that lived there," Wyatt said.

Sergeant Tom Wyatt says the young child was not home during the bust, but says the environment she was living in was dangerous.

"Anytime you inhale the vapors of this meth that is cooking, it becomes very volatile to humans to animals to anyone who comes in contact with," Wyatt said.

He says tips like the one he received today really do help out.

"With the amount of men that we have, we only have two eyes per man and we've got a large area to cover. So anytime a citizen will contact us and give us tips, we do check them out regardless of what is thought in the community, we do check out any and all tips of meth labs or drug use," Wyatt said.

Wyatt says if the community is willing to take a stand with law enforcement and other county leaders, cases like this one will become rare.

"We're going to use every effort that we do have to combat this problem and we're going to be winners in this problem," Wyatt said.

Sergeant Wyatt says the four people arrested could face more serious charges when the grand jury hears the case. They are being held in the Big Sandy Detention Center.

Deputies are still looking for a fifth suspect.

Social services is trying to place the child who lived in the home with other family members.