Unit makes meth arrests

Two more individuals have recently been arrested on felony drug charges as area narcotics investigators continue their crack down on methamphetamine manufacturing.
Alcorn County Narcotics officials recently arrested David Lee Moore, 27, of Melvin Quals Road, in Michie, Tenn.; and Timothy Joe Smith, 44, of #1 Briarwood Subdivision, in Corinth, and charged them with possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance and felony possession of a controlled substance, according to a report from the Alcorn County Narcotics Unit. The arrests came after the discovery of precursors for meth manufacture, as well as two bags of what is believed to be methamphetamine.
The arrests reportedly came after the Alcorn County Narcotics Unit obtained information that the aforementioned suspects had attempted to purchase items -- known for use in making methamphetamine -- at a store on Harper Road.
Moore and Smith were traveling in a 1997 gray Nissan truck and officers spotted them leaving, traveling north on Harper Road.According to the report, officers discovered that Moore had warrants with the Corinth Police Department for unpaid traffic violations and asked for Deputy Mike Billingsley and K-9 Officer Scott Brown to stop the truck, which was "driving at a high rate of speed" north on Shiloh Road.
After being stopped, and asked to step out of the vehicle, officers spoke to the driver, Moore, and Smith and obtained consent to check the truck. Alcorn County Narcotics Investigator Darrell Hopkins said both lithium and pseudoephedrine pills were found during a search of the truck. After speaking to both suspects, the report said it was determined that the items were going to be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Moore and Smith were transported to the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office, and the truck was seized. Later, at the Sheriff's Office, a continued search turned up two bags of a substance, which field tested positive for meth, according to Hopkins. The bags were discovered in the truck's headliner on the driver's side.
Bond was set at $10,000 for both men by Justice Court Judge Jimmy McGee.
"It is good to know that we, in Alcorn County, have two Justice Court Judges -- Judge Steve Little and Judge Jimmy McGee -- who also have a low tolerance for drugs. It makes working with the Justice Court Judges, and all Justice Court employees, a pleasure," said Hopkins. "They, like all court clerks, get a lot of ridicule just for doing a job that most cannot do."

Meth lab discovered; 3 cuffed and stuffed

Local law enforcement discovered a meth lab -- and arrested three individuals on drug related charges -- at a Mitchell Street residence Monday night.
Around 11:30 p.m. Monday night, the Alcorn County Narcotics Unit, assisted by the Corinth Police Department, arrested Jessica Hope Cheatwood, 24; Anthony Wayne Stanley, 33; and Theresa Ann Kovac, 41; all of Corinth, and charged all three with possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, according to a report from the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office.
Events leading to the arrests reportedly began when Alcorn County Narcotics went to a Corinth residence, located at 1104 B Mitchell Street, after having received several complaints about the residence that led law enforcement to suspect drug activity.
"We had reports of strange odors, a lot of 'in and out' traffic and relatives worried about family members," said Alcorn County Narcotics Investigator Darrell Hopkins.
Upon arriving at the residence, Hopkins spoke to Cheatwood. During the conversation, officers reported they detected several indications that drugs were in the residence and they asked for -- and received -- a consent to search.
"We could smell an odd odor coming out of the door of the residence and there was paraphernalia in the room and the occupant also admitted to having drug paraphernalia," said Hopkins.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Kovac. Two children were also found in the residence. During the search, officers reportedly found a lab and drug paraphernalia throughout the residence. Corinth Police Lt. Ben Gann and Sgt. Jerry Mayhall assisted Alcorn County Narcotics with the arrest.
Previous to the search, officers had reportedly seen Cheatwood's husband, Stanley, leave and enter another residence next door and found him.
The Department of Human Services was contacted to take the children to the hospital for evaluation. Hopkins noted that contacting DHS was standard policy in such a case.
"For the children's safety, they need to make sure that the children don't have any meth, or any of the chemicals, in their system and make sure their lungs are okay," said Hopkins.
The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics arrived on the scene and took samples to send to the crime lab. Hopkins praised all agencies for working together, including Corinth Housing Authority.
Justice Court Steve Little set bond for each of the suspects at $5,000 each.
In an unrelated case, Alcorn County Narcotics arrested a Savannah, Tenn., couple several days ago, after reportedly observing them purchase several items -- from different locations -- that could be used to make methamphetamine.
According to the Alcorn County Sheriff's report, law enforcement stoppedthe couple's vehicle on North Shiloh Road and gained a consent to search. During the search, officers found items used to make methamphetamine.
The driver and his wife, identified as Randal Clay Rich, 38; and Robin Rena Rich, 35, both of Pooh Hollow Lane, in Savannah, Tenn., were both charged with possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Justice Court Judge Steve Little set bond for each at $5,000.