Two arrested on crystal meth charges

By By Chris Allen Baker / staff writer
March 9, 2002
A Lauderdale County woman and a Philadelphia man were in jail Friday night after being arrested on crystal methamphetamine charges.
Christy Price, 31,11170 Center Hill Martin Road, was arrested and charged Friday with possessing methamphetamine and possessing two or more precursors with intent to manufacture the drug.
Precursors are ingredients used to manufacture the drug.
Charles Thomas Harrison, 29, Route 8 Box 108, Philadelphia, was arrested Thursday night at Price's residence. He was charged with two counts of possessing methamphetamine.
Bond was set at $5,000 each for Price and Harrison.
Methamphetamine is a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that dissolves in water or alcohol. It is an addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the central nervous system.
In its smoked form, it often goes by the name of "crystal meth." The drug is manufactured easily in hidden laboratories with relatively inexpensive over-the-counter ingredients.
Carl Merchant, a senior agent and Meridian Police officer assigned to the East Mississippi Drug Task Force, said the investigation surrounding Price's and Harrison's arrests remains active.
Merchant said the East Mississippi Drug Task Force acted on a tip Thursday night and investigated a report of a crystal meth lab where Price, an unemployed registered nurse, lives.
When officers determined that a lab was likely in operation, Merchant said, a search warrant was sought. Merchant couldn't say how much crystal meth was present, pending reports from the state crime lab.
While officers waited for the search warrant, Harrison arrived at Price's house. That was when he was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of crystal meth.
Price was not at her residence Thursday night. She was arrested Friday after she made a court appearance on a separate charge in Neshoba County.
After the search warrant was obtained, Merchant said the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics was called into the investigation.
MBN agents Jimmy Nichols and Allen Ward assisted the task force in processing evidence, transporting evidence to the state crime lab and helping coordinate cleanup efforts.
Merchant said the bureau will continue its participation in the investigation.