Thursday, June 25, 2009

Authorities Bust Meth Lab And Seize Marijuana Crop

   Drug agents who went to question a man regarding a December burglary Tuesday ended up busting his meth lab and seizing his marijuana crop.

   Drug agents with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department report they had gone to the 290 Weakley Loop Road home, along with Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, to “follow up on a burglary case from December 2008.” They indicate that the resident, Ricky Dale Pryor, age 29, “was implicated in this burglary.” At the time, they report that Pryor was at home with his three children, ages 11, 8, and 3.

   They spoke to Pryor around 3:15 p.m., explaining that they were privy to information that he had received stolen property from the burglary. They indicate Pryor denied the allegation, inviting them to search his home and property. Pryor allegedly told agents, “You can search anything…you can go through the outbuilding, too.”

   After obtaining a signed consent-to-search form, a search of the premises was initiated. Inside a storage room, officers report finding marijuana stems in an ashtray. When they asked Pryor to empty his pockets, they report seizing a plastic bag that contained approximately 2 grams of the substance. Also seized from inside the home were two bottles of hydrogen peroxide.

   The search was then moved to the outbuilding. Agents report they opened a freezer to find two mason jars containing liquids – a suspected working meth lab. They report that Pryor denied ownership of the items, stating that an acquaintance “had been to his shop numerous times.” He denied knowing what the substance in the jars was.

   At that point, agents report the search was suspended and the outbuilding cleared in order to await the arrival of lab-certified officers and equipment to test and properly handle the substance. Agents with Cleanup Response and area fire departments were then summoned to the scene.

   While waiting with Pryor in the yard, one of the agents reports he noticed a marijuana plant growing in a five gallon bucket at the rear of the residence. Agents then noticed a number of plants growing in the edge of the woods nearby. Pryor reportedly claimed possession of the plants and showed officers where a few more were growing. Altogether they report seizing 9 marijuana plants. Pryor told officers he was growing the plants for “personal use” only.

   When the proper personnel arrived on the scene the search of the outbuilding was continued. The following items were reportedly seized as a result:  four Mason jars containing white sludge, two bottles of rubbing alcohol, one box of iodized salt, one gallon of Coleman fuel, twenty coffee filters, and receipts for the purchase of pseudoephedrine from Target and Kroger stores in the Columbia area.

   A field test of the blue liquid found inside the jars identified the substance as extracted ephedrine.

   Because of the stage of growth, the marijuana plants were handed over to agents with the Alcoholic Beverage Commission for proper disposal. Agents point out, “When marijuana plants are green in nature and are not finished and ready to be used, they can put out harmful gas if not packaged properly.”

   Officials with SWS Environmental Services arrived on the scene around 6:00 p.m. and took possession of the meth lab components so that they might be disposed of properly.

   Although no charges were issued at the time reports were filed, agents say they will seek indictments through the Lawrence County Grand Jury against Pryor and his wife, twenty-nine-year-old Belinda G. Pryor.

   The county’s Youth Services Officer was notified that children were present in a home with marijuana and a meth lab. An investigation into child neglect/abuse has also been initiated.