The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net
Community Calendars |
By RICHARD HARRIS
(From the May 3, 2006 issue)
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from several agencies raided a crystal methamphetamine lab Tuesday morning, May 2 at a residence in north Marion County on Highway 355, about a dozen miles from Buena Vista. At the deadline for this issue of the newspaper, Timothy Scott Thorne, 39, had been taken into custody and was being held at the Marion County Jail, but charges had not yet been finalized.
Thorne lives in his parents’ home, where the “meth” lab was discovered. His father was home, but his mother was not, as she is currently in the hospital.
Sheriff Horace Snider said the Sheriff’s Office had observed Thorne purchasing items in local stores that are among the ingredients used in the manufacturing of crystal meth. The items used to make the illegal drug – from non-prescription medications to cleaning supplies -- are all legal to buy, but the combination of items
“Some of our local merchants called us about what he was buying and then we actually observed him buying items,” said Sheriff Snider.
They investigated the matter and soon had enough information, including the location of the lab, to lead to the raid.
Sheriff Snider noted that his office has made some arrests for possession of crystal meth (as well as intent to distribute) in the past, but this is the first time they’ve found an actual operating lab in the county. While he’s pleased with that breakthrough, he remains disturbed by the fact that crystal meth is present in Marion County (as it is in counties across the nation).
“This stuff if very, very dangerous,” said Sheriff Snider.
The Sheriff’s Office recently helped conduct a “Myth of Meth” presentation as part of a Youth Awareness Series being conducted at First Baptist Church of Buena Vista. That’s just one way the sheriff is seeking to help battle the drug problem. On the morning of the arrest, he also welcomed Marion Middle School Counselor Tracey McCorkle to the scene so she could observe.
Crystal meth is very addictive and is said to produce a “high” that lasts longer than cocaine. Users have been known to have symptoms such as increased anger, mood swings (often violent), weight loss, paranoia and a decrease in personal hygiene.
Not only is the use of the drug dangerous, but so is the manufacturing process. Labs have been known to have explosions, which is why officers who entered the residence during the raid wore protective clothing and breathing gear. It’s also why members of the Marion County EMS were on hand during the raid – just in case.
It’s no wonder why, when looking at the materials used. After the raid at the Thorne residence, items were spread out on the lawn and it seemed as if the shelves from a couple of aisles at a drug store had been dumped on the ground – along with a shelf or two from the home-improvement section. Items found during the raid included: charcoal starter, Drano and other brands of drain cleaners, Heet, peroxide, and a variety of medications. There was even a gallon jug of what appeared to be urine. Speculation was that it might have been collected and saved due to a belief that it would still contain some of the properties of meth and added back into the next “cooking batch” of the drug.
In addition to the possibility of explosions, the drug is very toxic and can contaminate the building in which it is made. For this reason, the home will be inspected and the State Health Department must give the “OK” before anyone can enter it without protection.
The items found were consistent with what is referred to as a “Red P” crystal meth lab, according to officers on the scene.
Sheriff Snider thanks the other law enforcement personnel who took part in the raid. Those included: the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Albany Police Department, the Albany/Dougherty County Drug Unit, the State Crime Lab out of Columbus, and Ralph Stuart of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office (who works with the DEA).