Generally there's nothing unusual--or illegal--about a father-and-son business.

That wasn't the case, however, for Edward Shiloff Sr., 68, and his son, Edward Shiloff Jr., 40 who were in the business of making methamphetamine.

The father was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 15 after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency contacted the Nye County Sheriff's Office Scorpion Task Force and asked for assistance into an investigation.

The D.E.A. explained to task force officers that a person residing in Pahrump was attempting to acquire a substantial amount of chemicals possibly related to methamphetamine production.

Scorpion task force officers accompanied D.E.A. agents to 420 E. Hickory Street where Edward Shiloff Sr. was a resident.

"During our contact with Shiloff we smelled the overwhelming odor of a clandestine lab while his front door was open," the sheriff's office press release stated.

Shiloff Sr. reportedly admitted to there being a methamphetamine lab in his home to the officers.

A search warrant was obtained by the Scorpion task force officers, subsequently yielding numerous chemicals and paraphernalia being used to make the drug.

The sheriff's office estimated the lab had the capacity to produce several ounces of methamphetamine at a time.

The suspect reportedly disagreed with the officers that this was a significant amount.

While being arrested, the elder Shiloff reportedly "protested his arrest, rationalizing that was 'only a small lab,' and that we were 'making a mountain out of a molehill,'" the press release stated.

The Nye County Emergency Services HAZ-MAT team safely and successfully dismantled the lab.

Shiloff Sr. was booked on one charge of manufacturing a controlled substance and is being held on $60,000 bail.

His son, however, was not present at that the time of the arrest.

Nonetheless, he is actively being sought for his alleged participation in the lab.

"There is a check and balance system in place so if people make purchases at a certain level it does come to our attention," Nye County Sheriff Tony DeMeo said.

He added the last contact the sheriff's office had with Edward Shiloff Jr. was in 2000 and that although this was the first meth lab to be dismantled "in a while," his officers continually and routinely check up on possible labs when information is received.

The sheriff's office would like to extend special thanks to D.E.A. Agent Michael Rosenthal, the NCES Haz-Mat team, and sheriff's office Dep. John Bergstrom "for their invaluable service in locating, identifying an dismantling the clandestine lab."

Caregiver support group

The Caregiver Support Group is a new program developed by Nathan Adelson Hospice to relieve caregiver stress.

Participants will learn ways to identify and reduce the challenges in caring for loved ones with a life threatening illness.

Clelia Pinza Garrity, a social worker with over 25 years of hospice experience, will lead the group.

The first meeting is 2:30-3:30 p.m., Feb. 7 at the hospice, 1480 E. Calvada Blvd.

Call 751-6700 for more information.