Local News
Deputies Bust Meth Lab
By
Jul 4, 2009, 05:00

Sheriff's Deputies busted a meth lab on Friday night, discovering it while serving a probation warrant.

At about 2:30 am, Sheriff's Sgt Pat Trolinger and Deputies Vince Edmond and Nick Godwin were attempting to serve a pickup order on Jimmy Bryson for a state probation violation.  His home is set back about 75 yards off the road in the 3300 block of Dothan Road.

Knowing that in the past Bryson used a surveillance system at his home, Sgt Trolinger had the deputies park at the highway and they walked in.

When they got about 10 yards from the house, he smelled the odor of a meth cook and saw shadows of 2 individuals inside.  Deputies also heard the two speaking, specifically hearing terms such as "Red P" and "Get me the pills."

As Deputy Godwin knocked on the front door, Sgt Trolinger and Deputy Edmond positioned themselves on the side of the trailer.  He knocked and received no answer so he knocked again telling them to open the door.  Jimmy Bryson fled out the back door of the trailer and Deputy Edmond quickly took him down.

In Jimmy Bryson's pocket, deputies discovered a medicine bottle with a significant amount of meth.  Bryson admitted to deputies that there was an active meth cook in the home.

In addition, to a number of precursors, used in the production of meth discovered around the home, there were children's clothes and toys and bicycles outside indicating children were frequently placed in a dangerous environment.

Sheriff's Captain Chip Nix responded to the scene and in a search of the home by deputies, they discovered several batches of a meth cook, one that was actively cooking.  Cooking meth refers to the chemical reaction used in the process of manufacture and utilizes a number of dangerous chemicals.  Approximately $5,000 worth of methamphetamine was close to the end of the manufacturing process.

Jimmy Bryson, 35, was charged with manufacturing meth and possession with intent to distribute.

Melvin Cloud

Also in the home was Melvin Keith Cloud, 41, who is presently on parole for possession of methamphetamine.  He was arrested and transported to Decatur County Jail.