By Julie Vaughan
Editor
Two men were arrested Monday afternoon on drug charges following a call in reference to a theft at Walmart.
Canton Police Department Narcotics Officer James Bradshaw said he and other officers arrived at the store and two subjects were detained who had stolen items that officers believed were being used to manufacture drugs.
“They had such items has pseudo ephedrine, batteries, etc.” Bradshaw said.
He said officers learned the two men were staying in room 10 at the Canton Motel.
“I left them in the custody of officers to obtain a search warrant and upon entering the Canton Motel, I detected a strong odor of ether, which is common when drugs are being manufactured,” Bradshaw explained.
He said once he and officers were in the room they found bottles, and the tools and items commonly used to mix and manufacture meth.
“They were using the one pot mixing method which is a very volatile process,” Bradshaw said. “They actually had three pots going, and it only takes a couple of hours to produce.”
Bradshaw said the suspects had only been assigned the room for a day and a half, so it is possible they had already mixed and sold drugs before they were arrested, from that location.
Michael Ray Powell Jr., 26, with an unknown address, was arrested on site for disorderly conduct – display firearm, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and possession of certain chemicals with intent to manufacture controlled substance warrants.
Robert Cecil Crain Jr., 23, Canton, was arrested on site for theft $50/$500, manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and possession of certain chemicals with intent to manufacture controlled substance warrants.
“We gathered evidence from the room including ether, pills, equipment and evidence from a dumpster including bottles and other items used to break down the pills,” Bradshaw said. “Not only did it take a lot of man hours from our office, but we also had help from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office narcotics officers, and we worked closely with the District Attorney’s office in Van Zandt County and their investigators.”
Bradshaw said they ended up seizing 140 grams of meth with a street value of approximately $3,000 and made two arrests, with at least three more pending.
“These two guys have a history of manufacture and use (of drugs),” Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw went on to say his training two years ago on drug HAZMAT cleanup and evidence recovery has been beneficial in such cases as this one.
Last month, Bradshaw said the Canton Police Department cleared four cases where a total of one pound of meth was taken off the streets within the county.
“We’re really making a statement into how far we are willing to go,” Bradshaw added. “The sky is the limit on these cases.”