According to District Attorney John Wampler, five individuals were arrested in Greer County Tuesday on charges of Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine, and that two other individuals were charged with the same offense and are still being sought by law enforcement authorities.

The arrests were the result of an investigation by the District Three DA Drug Task Force and the Greer County Sheriff’s Office.

According to reports, on March 15 the District 3 Drug Task Force responded to the scene of a traffic stop in Mangum. The Greer County Sheriff’s Department had discovered a mobile meth lab inside the vehicle at the stop, which was occupied by Jose Salazar and Jared Padron. Both were subsequently arrested and charged with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Their cases are pending in Greer County District Court.

Agents of the Drug Task Force continued in a lengthy investigation, after which it was determined that the individuals arrested Tuesday purchased pseudoephedrine or other precursors used by Salazar and Padron in the manufacturing process of meth. Each of them allegedly were to receive compensation in the form of meth for purchasing the precursors. Those arrested and being held in the Greer County Jail are Bradley Padron, 19; Martin Maldonado, 20; David Inge, 23; Nicholas Smith, 20; and Jessica Chambless, 20.

Those still being sought on arrest warrants are Keondra McDougle, 21; and Darren Padron, 20.

All seven are charged in Greer County District Court with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, which carries a punishment of seven years to life in the state penitentiary, and this is the same punishment provided for the actual manufacture of meth. Also assisting Tuesday with the arrests was the Mangum Police Department.

“In the state of Oklahoma it is a crime to conspire to commit a crime,” Wampler said. “And in a conspiracy each person is responsible for the acts or actions of each co-conspirator.”

Wampler said that he hopes these arrests will send a strong message that merely purchasing pseudoephedrine or other precursors, or providing any assistance to those actually involved in the manufacture of meth is illegal and will result in manufacturing charges being filed against you.