Traffic stop nets mobile meth lab
By Steve Herring
Published in News on February 20, 2011 1:50 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- A routine traffic stop Thursday morning turned into an investigation of a mobile methamphetamine lab.
Three people were charged after Mount Olive police Officer Johnny Joe Gonzales stopped a pickup truck that crossed the center line on Talton Avenue and discovered evidence of what was basically a mobile meth lab.
Charged were Bryant Wayne Cansler, 25, of East Main Street, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of methamphetamine, manufacture methamphetamine, two counts possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine precursor -- all felonies -- and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was put under $5,500 bond.
Also charged was Cody Alan Outlaw, 20, of David Bright Road, Turkey, manufacture methamphetamine, two counts possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine precursor, possession of methamphetamine -- all felonies -- and possession of drug paraphernalia, $2,000 bond.
Kimberly Brooke Waterman, 23, whose address was listed as Ivy Road, Pikeville, and Station Street, Mount Olive, was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance methamphetamine, $100 bond.
Police Major Brian Rhodes said Gonzales was behind the truck, which was registered to Cansler, and driven by Outlaw on Talton Avenue.
Gonzales made the traffic stop after the truck crossed the center line. While talking with Gonzales, Outlaw said he had weapons on him -- brass knuckles and a knife.
About one-half a gram of methamphetamine was confiscated, Rhodes said.
Rhodes said Gonzales noticed Outlaw appeared to have something in his pants' pocket. The item was a set of digital scales commonly used to weigh out drugs, Rhodes said.
Officer Hunter Martin arrived on the scene and began interviewing Cansler, who said a weapon was under the seat.
Martin found a .22 caliber pistol that had been reported stolen in Wayne County.
The officers called for a drug dog, which was provided by the Duplin County Sheriff's Office.
A search of Cansler turned up a small pill bottle containing a residue, and Ms. Waterman told Gonzales that she had meth hidden in her bra.
The truck was searched and lithium batteries, carburetor cleaner and an LP gas cylinder were discovered -- all items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, Rhodes said.
The gas cylinder had a discoloration that is normally caused by anhydrous ammonia, another substance used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, he said.
"(The truck) was not a working meth lab, but it would still be considered a meth lab," he said.
The stop was made shortly before 10 a.m., but the scene was not cleared until after 7 p.m.
Rhodes said police called and had to wait for a specially trained hazardous materials unit that the State Bureau of Investigation has contracted with to clean the truck.
Methamphetamine and the chemical used to cook the drug are highly toxic and potentially explosive. Having the SBI unit clean the scene relieves the police of any financial responsibility for the cleanup.
"(Methamphetamine) is a growing trend," Rhodes said. "In a 10-mile radius, this is the third in two weeks."