Authorities raid meth lab on Margaret Drive
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on December 20, 2016 1:57 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Authorities raided a methamphetamine lab at 2002 Margaret Drive this morning. Four people are charged in connection to the drug operation.
Sgt. Charles Shaeffer said the Wayne County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on a home at 10 a.m. Tuesday seized methamphetamine, paraphernalia and ingredients to make the drug.
The raid Tuesday was the culmination of a more than yearlong investigation into complaints on the residence lodged by neighbors.
"We had numerous complaints from neighbors of a foul smell," Shaeffer said. "They try and destroy the evidence as quickly as possible, so they would burn things at night."
Shaeffer said authorities did not immediately know how much methamphetamine was seized at the residence, but a pot of suspected methamphetamine was pulled off the stove inside the house and would be taken to the State Bureau of Investigation crime lab to be processed.
Authorities also monitored the residents' pseudophedrine purchase history, Shaeffer said.
"You can't exceed the purchase limit any more because it'll block you, but they would buy Sudafed every four or five days, and that's suspicious," Shaeffer said. He said a box of Sudafed typically lasts 10 days.
Shaeffer added the irregular pseudophedrine purchase history coupled with the complaints from neighbors tipped investigators off to the presence of the methamphetamine operation.
James Creech, 48, Bobby Pelt, 41, Alan Foil, 42 and Amanda White, 27 -- all residing at 2002 Margaret Drive -- were all arrested in connection to the operation.
Shaeffer said each defendant will be charged with six counts of possession of precursor chemicals, manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Shaeffer added that he did not know how the four people knew each other.
The defendants are being held at the Wayne County Jail, each under a respective $300,000 secured bond.
An SBI Agent with the Clandestine Lab Unit assisted the sheriff's office with executing the warrant and processing and cleaning the scene.
Perry Willis, who lives next door, said he had seen a large volume of traffic at the residence.
"I've seen a lot of traffic in and out of there," Willis said. "It's all the time, day and night."
In addition to methamphetamine, authorities also seized syringes, bullets, chemicals, jars, bottles and batteries.
Rosewood Fire Department also responded to the scene to assist law enforcement with processing the lab.