ASHLAND -- Five people were arrested in two separate drug undercover drug buys in Ashland on Thursday, according to a news release from the Boyd County sheriff's department. Four of those arrested were women.

Brandon L. Gibbs, 37, of Lineal Drive, Catlettsburg, Ashley S. Kirk, 29, of Kentucky 168, Catlettsburg, and Barbara K. Moyer, 38, of the 1900 block of West Main Street, Ashland, were arrested in the parking lot of the Ashland Town Center Mall, according to the release.

Moyer and Kirk were charged with manufacturing meth while Gibbs was charged with manufacturing meth and drug trafficking, according to the release. All three were taken to the Boyd County Detention Center in Catlettsburg.

Deputies found eight one-step meth labs in the vehicle containing the three suspects. Authorities also recovered meth, meth precursors, syringes and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Kentucky State Police personnel were called to deal with the active meth labs, according to the release.

In the other arrest, a confidential informant bought 10 oxycodone tablets from two women in the 2500 block of Winchester Avenue.

Mary E. McCann, 55, of Township Road 203W, Ironton, was charged with trafficking in drugs in the first degree and possession of drugs in the first degree. Bonnie J. Triplett, 59, of the 2400 block of South 7th Street, Ironton, was charged with trafficking in the first degree.

The two were stopped as they were leaving the McDonald's parking lot. Authorities recovered more prescription drugs and an undisclosed amount of cash. The women were taken to the Boyd County Detention Center.

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