Monday, July 6, 2009

Four More Meth Labs Seized During Holiday Weekend

   Local drug agents seized components from four more meth labs during the holiday weekend, bringing the number of labs dismantled during the past two weeks to eight.

   Agents with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department report that the first lab was located at a home situated at 316 Oak Street in Summertown. Agents made their way to the home on Friday after having obtained information from a confidential source, indicating that the resident had beseeched various individuals to purchase the drug pseudoephedrine on his behalf. Because of its use in the manufacture of methamphetamine, strict purchasing limits have been placed on the drug. Retailers are allowed to sell only one box of the medication to a single customer.

   When they arrived at the residence, agents report the suspect was not home. While speaking with a family member, agents obtained permission to conduct a search of the premises. They report finding a Coleman fuel container that had been placed inside a burn barrel outside the residence. Inside, they report seizing a number of components used in the manufacture of meth, including lithium batteries, coffee filters, and aluminum foil, along with two drinking straws that bore white powder residue.

   Since they were unable to make contact with the suspect, resident Jeff Hughes, no charges were filed at that time. Agents report that evidence against Hughes will be presented to an upcoming session of the Lawrence County Grand Jury as they seek indictments on charges of promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine.

   The second operation was conducted at 370 North Old Military Road, Summertown. Agents had obtained information indicating that several subjects had been utilizing an area of the woods at the location to manufacture meth. When they arrived agents discovered a trail that led into the woods. While walking the trail, they report locating “three separate areas where large amounts of product used in the manufacture of meth was found.” As a precautionary measure agents left the area and summoned members of the Summertown Fire Department, Lawrence County Ambulance Service, and Lawrence County HazMat Team to stand by while the lab was processed. Officials indicate that, “Due to the amount of items located and how the items were stored, agents processed the lab while wearing APR masks and chemical suits.”

   Found inside the woods were:  8 one gallon cans of Coleman fuel, two quarts of Liquid Fire, 2 ½ pounds of lye, 16 ounces of Isopropyl alcohol, 5 ounces of lighter fluid, 10 ounces of Ether, a bottle containing an unknown liquid, Ammonia Nitrate, salt, 8 Mason jars, funnels, aluminum foil, Lithium batteries, 60 coffee filters, plastic jugs, 40 feet of tubing, marijuana pipes, pliers, and various other contraband.

   Although no one was found at the scene, agents report they were able to lift fingerprints from several of the items. They indicate the prints have been forwarded to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for analysis. Once suspects are identified, they indicate that charges will be presented.

   The third weekend meth lab bust took place at 28 Lindsey Church Road in Leoma. Agents report they had become privy to information indicating that residents Kevin and Lori Adams had purchased several boxes of pseudoephedrine within the past few months. When they confronted Lori Adams about the information, they indicate she granted verbal consent for a search of the house and property. Her three children, they report, were inside their rooms in the home at the time.

   When they made their way to a back bedroom, agents report finding Kevin Adams hiding behind a door. Once he was secured agents report they discovered that Adams had seven Lortab pills concealed in his front pocket.

   When the search was initiated agents report finding numerous items inside the kitchen that are associated with the manufacture of meth. At this point the children were removed from the home for their own safety. Donning masks, agents returned to the home and began to remove the items. Removed from the kitchen were the following items:  Coleman fuel, Red Devil Lye, Muriatic Acid, gloves, funnels, rock salt, aluminum foil, duct tape, and an empty package of pseudoephedrine. From the master bathroom agents report seizing one pound of lye, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.

   Agents found a plastic bottle in a nearby ditch that contained ammonia nitrate. A generator bottle (used to “gas off” meth oil), and a Mason jar containing an unknown liquid were found inside Kevin Adams’ 1978 Chevrolet truck. The truck was subsequently seized.

   Both Lori and Kevin Adams were transported to the Lawrence County Jail where they were booked under charges of initiation of the process to manufacture meth, promotion of the manufacture of meth, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Kevin Adams was additionally charged with the crime of possession of Schedule III narcotics (Lortab).

   The couple’s children were removed from the home, then later released into the custody of a family members. Authorities with the Department of Children Services were notified to initiate an investigation, as well.

   The fourth weekend operation involved the seizure of a meth lab at 9743 Buttermilk Ridge Road. After receiving information indicating that resident Laura Moore had purchased a number of boxes of pseudoephedrine, agents made their way to the home Saturday to speak with Moore and her husband, George Moore. Both, agents report, granted permission allowing for a search of the premises. While giving consent, agents report George Moore admitted he “did have a little marijuana.”

   After they had begun to search, agents report that George Moore stopped them, stating that there were items in a back bedroom used in the manufacture of meth. The Adams were removed from the home for safety purposes. Agents then returned to the bedroom in question, There, they report finding two gallons of Coleman fuel, one quart of Acetone, one quart of Liquid Fire, 18 ounces of Draino, 21 ounces of starter fluid, three pounds of Ammonia Nitrate, salt, 30 coffee filters, 20 feet of tubing, funnels, duct tape, homemade fittings, one pound of lye, numerous boxes of pseudoephedrine, scales, Lithium batteries, measuring cups, aluminum foil, and plastic bottles.

   The couple’s 1990 Chevrolet truck and 2003 Ford Explorer were seized. Both Moores were transported to the Lawrence County Jail where they were booked under charges of initiation of the process to manufacture meth, promotion of the manufacture of meth, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

   Agents indicate that in excess of thirty meth labs have been seized within the county thus far in 2009.

 

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