By James B. Bartle
The Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit continued to pounce on local methamphetamine manufacturers this past week with a total of 18 arrests made.
Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke released the activity arrests on Tues., July 14.
On July 10, members of the FCNEU traveled to a residence on Brinkman Rd. for a related investigation. Authorities arrived and arrested four individuals for investigation of narcotics violations. Investigators located approximately four ounces of a substance believed to be meth and meth manufacturing equipment at the home.
While at the residence, other individuals arrived not knowing law enforcement was present. They were arrested for driving while suspended and narcotics violations. Eight people were arrested at the scene, including: Robert Wheeler, 45, Villa Ridge, narcotics violations; Paul Wallace, 25, St. Clair, narcotics violations; and Connie Kittrell, 45, Labadie, narcotics violations.
On Sunday morning, July 12 at 9:43 a.m., deputies responded to a residence in the 9000 block of Whiskey Creek Spur to try to contact a person living at the home. The deputy was conducting an investigation related to a stolen gun. The individual was also wanted on an outstanding warrant for driving while intoxicated. Other deputies arrived at the scene to assist.
Authorities noticed movement in the home, and vehicles were in the drive, but no one would answer the door. A female subject was also observed in the home.
A relative of one of the occupants arrived at the residence and provided deputies with a phone number to the residence.
The wanted suspect came out the back door of the home and was taken into custody. While making the arrest, deputies observed an odor commonly associated with meth production.
A search warrant was obtained for the home and authorities located narcotics paraphernalia along with meth lab components.
Six individuals were arrested at the scene for narcotics violations, including: a white male, 43, Union; a white male, 29, Berger; a white male, 26, Union; a white female, 43, Union; a white female, 29, New Haven; and a white female, 47, Union. The names are being withheld pending warrants.
On Mon., July 13, deputies received information about a possible meth lab at a residence on Hendrix Rd. FCNEU and county deputies arrived at the home and noticed a strong odor commonly associated with meth production coming from the home.
Deputies had removed a lab from the residence only eight weeks prior to this activity. Four individuals were arrested at the scene on the second visit for investigation of narcotics violations. They were from Jefferson, St. Louis and Franklin counties.