FLORENCE — A local man and woman accused of operating a drug manufacturing operation inside an apartment complex have been indicted on drug charges and cruelty to an animal that was exposed to the chemicals, officials said.

Courthouse officials said Jennifer Anita Blackburn Hines, 38, 1550 Helton Drive Apartment A-7, and Nathan Davis Hill, 38, 1601 Huntsville Road, Florence, are each indicted on first-degree manufacturing a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, second-degree promoting prison contraband and first-degree cruelty to an animal.

The indictments were issued during a Lauderdale County grand jury session in January.

Police said the two were arrested Aug. 28, after Hines was stopped, suspected of driving under the influence.

Police said a traffic stop led officer to the residence and the discovery of the meth lab.

Reports indicate an officer went to the unit at Florendale Apartments where Hines was living, Nathan Davis Hill came to the door and a strong chemical odor that was related to a meth lab was present in the apartment.

The officer found an active meth lab on the kitchen counter and a cat inside the apartment that had been exposed to the toxic fumes from the meth lab, authorities said.

Hill is out of jail on bond of $5,000.

Hines remains in the Lauderdale County Detention Center on bail totaling $29,500.