Authorities continue meth battle with arrests
By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Franklin County Sheriff's Department made five more arrests involving the production of methamphetamine this week, bringing the total to 50 since the first of the year.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said the recent arrests are just the latest in his department's commitment to cracking down on the manufacturing of meth in the county.
"This has been an ongoing investigation by our department," Plott said. "We expect more arrests to come."
Plott said since his department shut down a major drug organization that brought meth into the county, people are turning to a secondary method of getting the drug. They are making it themselves.
Officials said evidence has shown that children have been present at many of these labs and the Department of Human Resources has assisted investigators with placement of the children for their own safety.
"We have a number of cases where we have found a meth lab with children in the home even with the working labs," Plott said.
Plott said there are several things that must be done when children are found in the presence of a meth lab, including having the child decontaminated, changing their clothing, having them medically evaluated and contacting DHR for a placement in a safe environment.
"Most of the children turn out to be fine, but there is one case where the baby's breathing problems is believed to be attributed to the meth being made inside the home," Plott said.
Plott added Tuesday's arrests were made after meth labs were found in the Spruce Pine area and a residence near Phil Campbell.
Children were found during this investigation as well.
Darlene Wooten Bray, 31, and Jason William Bray, 35, both of 4231 Highway 20 in Phil Campbell, were charged with first-degree manufacturing of a controlled substance, and possession of controlled substance.
Christine Marie Manning, 45, and Johnnie B. Manning, 37, both of 1114 Baker Road in Phil Campbell, were charged with first-degree manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; and Kristie Joann McAlister, 25, of 70 School Ave. in Phil Campbell, was charged with possession of marijuana and second-degree attempting to manufacture controlled substance.
Plott said his department will continue to work these cases in an effort to rid the county of meth.
