Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Agents Nab Two Meth Labs

   Efforts of local drug agents lead to the dismantling of two meth labs within the county on Monday.

   Agents with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department first made their way to a home situated at  83 Denson Road, where they confronted residents Matthew Belew and Christopher Dickey about possible drug activity.

   After gaining permission to conduct a search of the premises, agents report locating several items associated with the manufacture of the drug methamphetamine.

   Inside Belew’s room, agents report seizing Ace cold packs (which contain ammonia nitrate), measuring cups, scales, tubing, pseudoephedrine cold tablets, plastic containers, funnels, muriatic acid, Coleman fuel, approximately one gram of meth, a meth pipe, four marijuana pipes, and seventeen packages of rolling papers. While searching Dickey’s room agents report seizing three Valium, 1 ½ Lortab, and a marijuana pipe.

   As a result, Belew was arrested on charges that include promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, possession of Schedule II (meth), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Dickey was charged with the crimes of possession of Schedule III (Lortab), possession of Schedule IV (Valium), and possession of drug paraphernalia.

   Agents later moved on to a lab located at 324 Corbin Street in Summertown. There they confronted resident Kerry Jennings inside a detached garage. They explained that they had received information regarding a possible meth lab inside the garage structure. Also present, they report, were Austin Burchell and Tracy Hobbs.

   After obtaining permission to search the premises, agents report seizing numerous items from inside the garage that are associated with meth manufacture along with other items of contraband. They include:  a cold pack that was located inside Burchell’s front pocket, approximately two grams of marijuana and a marijuana pipe found inside Jennings’ pocket, approximately two grams of methamphetamine concealed in a cigarette package on a table, Mason jars, five foot of tubing, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, lithium batteries, aluminum foil, funnels, coffee filters, latex gloves, acid and two syringes that were loaded with a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

   As a result of the second search all three suspects was arrested on charges of promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, possession of Schedule II (meth), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jennings was additionally charged with simple possession of marijuana,

   Agents report, “We will ask District Attorney Mike Bottoms to enhance the charges against Jennings, Burchell and Hobbs due to the fact that the residence is across the street from Summertown Elementary School” – a direct violation of state statutes.

   Certified cleanup crews were summoned to both locations along with members of the local Hazardous Materials team. Agents report, “Both labs were dismantled without incident.”

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