Monkeys in the Meth Lab: Deputies in Tenn. Drug Bust Confronted by Angry Chimps

ROGERSVILLE, Tenn. (CBS/AP) Hawkins County deputies investigating a meth lab found themselves confronted by four aggressive monkeys.

Narcotics Unit supervisor Sgt. Chad Gillenwater told the Kingsport Times-News deputies smelled methamphetamine at the home of William Alan "Monkey Man" Givan on Friday.

Inside the home they say they found methamphetamine cooking. They also found four monkeys, which Givan kept as pets. That, it turns out, is not illegal. However, the monkeys were aggressive toward officers and ripped the jacket of a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officer who was called in to investigate.

Officers turned the monkeys over to Givan's wife, who was not charged in relation to the meth lab.

Aside from the lab itself, deputies reported seizing other meth lab components including an improvised gas generator, starting fluid, a respirator and a five-gallon bucket of ammonia nitrate, reported the Kingsport Times-News.

Givan was booked on drug charges including manufacturing meth, possession of Schedule II narcotics, and aintaining a dwelling where narcotics are housed or sold and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was released from the Hawkins County Jail Saturday afternoon on $25,000 bond.