Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Suspicious purchase leads to seizure of meth lab components
Lawrenceburg Now
An investigation into a suspicious purchase of pseudoephedrine has led to the seizure of methamphetamine components and charges being placed against three individuals.
The incident took place on December 17 at Walmart on North Locust Avenue. A narcotics investigator with the Lawrenceburg Police Department reports observing as local resident Johnny Kent Foor attempted to exchange a box of over-the-counter cold medication for one containing the ingredient pseudoephedrine, a primary ingredient in the manufacture of meth.
The detective reports that Foor became “loud and angry” when store employees refused the exchange, and left the store. He said that Foor walked to a vehicle in the parking lot where he explained to his daughter, Amanda Nicole Foor, and driver Thomas Matthew Davis that the exchange had been denied.
The trio had dealt with the detective in July when a meth lab was seized at the home of Davis and Amanda Foor, and immediately became wary. Johnny Foor reportedly told the detective that he had attempted to purchase the pseudoephedrine for his daughter, and that Davis had given him the money to do so.
The detective reports that when Davis exited the truck he attempted to conceal something in one hand, then dropped it. The detective found that it was a receipt documenting the purchase of drain cleaner at Walmart earlier the same day. Reports show that Davis denied that the receipt belonged to him.
Walmart security personnel pulled up video surveillance from the time indicated on the receipt and retrieved photos showing that it was Davis who had made the purchase. Additionally, they said that Amanda Foor was shown picking up lithium batteries. They said the video showed that she entered the restroom, then exited and left the store without paying for the batteries. Both lye, found in drain cleaner, and lithium are key components in the manufacture of meth.
A search of the vehicle yielded no additional contraband. Soon afterwards, the detective was informed that a meth lab had been discarded in a trash can at nearby Handy Andy Market. He was able to review video surveillance at the market that showed that just before their encounter at Walmart, both Davis and Amanda Foor entered the market’s restroom, carrying a bag.
The market was evacuated while the situation was thoroughly assessed. The detective determined that a bag had been placed in the trash can that contained a 16 oz. bottle of lighter fluid, 32 oz. bottle of sulfuric acid, four loose lithium batteries, and between 12 and 14 ounces of lye.
Emergency workers were able to determine that the meth components posed no immediate danger. They were removed from the building and the market allowed to re-open for business. A meth cleanup truck was called to the scene to secure and safely dispose of the materials.
As a result of the incident both Davis and Amanda Foor were incarcerated at the Lawrence County Detention Center under charges of promotion of the manufacture of meth and initiation of a process to manufacture meth. Johnny Foor was charged with public intoxication.
Both Davis and Amanda Foor were scheduled an initial appearance in Lawrence County General Sessions Court on January 6, 2017.
