Task Force makes drug bust in Hodges

An arrest was made last week after authorities found a small manufacturing site for methamphetamine in Franklin County.

After receiving information about drug activity, the Franklin County Drug Task Force, assisted by investigators and deputies from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Russellville Police Department, served a search warrant at 70 Church Street, Hodges, Alabama on April 8.
James Lee Patterson occupied the rental house on the property and officers talked to him about his numerous pseudoephedrine purchases that coincided with information about him being involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine at the property.
Patterson was asked if Investigators could search the residence he occupied. Patterson consented and investigators searched the premises.
The search led to a five-gallon bucket in the crawlspace of the house. The bucket contained equipment, precursors for manufacturing methamphetamine and three, one-pot meth labs. There was also a drink bottle containing approximately four ounces of liquid methamphetamine. Also located were another five-gallon bucket full of ammonia nitrate and a partial 50 lbs. bag of ammonia nitrate, which is an ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Officers searching the residence found a shotgun having the serial number filed off and various drug paraphernalia.
James Lee Patterson was arrested and charged with Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, Trafficking Methamphetamine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.