Two Methamphetamine labs were put out of business last Friday due to confidential information reported to the Macon County Sheriff's Office. Detective Robin Gregory reported that on October 24, 2003, Sgt. Darrell Taylor received information that Methamphetamine was being stored in and sold from a residence at 348 Akins Heights Lane, in the Siloam area of west Macon County. A search warrant was obtained and executed by Sgt. Darrell Taylor, Sheriff Joe Ferguson, Detective Robin Gregory, Detective Jimmy Hardin, Chief Danny fisher, Sgt. Danny Gross, and Deputies Michael Veatch, Terry Atkins, Troy Griggs and Larry West at 348 Akins Heights Lane. Resident John Meador was in the yard when the officers arrived, and was immediately taken into custody. His wife, Janet Meador, was found inside the residence. A search of the residence revealed a back pack with five mason jars filled with two layered liquids. One of the liquids was field tested positive for methamphetamines. Numerous pseudoephedrine pills, ephedrine pills, crushed ephedrine pills, a set of electronic scales, a turkey baster, two syringes and other paraphernalia consistent with the use of and manufacture of methamphetamines were found in the back pack. Both subjects were taken into custody and the DEA was contacted to dispose of the chemicals. Charges are pending at this time.

MCSO Officers Sgt. Darrell Taylor, Sheriff Joe Ferguson, Chief Danny Fisher, Detective Robin Gregory and Deputies Bill Cothron, Terry Akins, Michael Veatch and Jeff Tucker obtained an executed a second search warrant for 5988 Akersville Road, in Macon County the residence of David Roark. Roark signed a consent to search his premises. Upon initiating the search, numerous jars with two layer liquids were discovered in the storage building behind the residence, one of which was being heated at the time. Approximately two ounces of finished methamphetamines were seized from the building along with numerous chemicals and glassware consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Also found in the residence was approximately one half of an ounce of methamphetamine and approximately one ounce of marijuana, along with miscellaneous paraphernalia. DEA personnel were contacted and dispatched their environmental clean up crew to dispose of the hazardous chemicals. This case will be presented to the next term of the Macon county Grand Jury.

Detective Gregory says there is a growing problem in Macon County with methamphetamine labs. He urges residents to contact the Macon County Sheriffs Office any time they suspect anything related to the manufacture or sale of methamphetamine. "Things to look for," he says, "are weird chemical type smells, lots of traffic in and out of a residence, and evidence of large amounts of over-the-counter drugs."