Union Street meth lab bust leads to more arrests
By Keeli Parkey & Betty B. Chandler
April 29, 2008
An Erwin man, Joey Ambrose, 34, has been charged with felony possession of a handgun, manufacture of Schedule II (methamphetamine), possession of Schedule VI (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Union Street in Erwin on Tuesday, April 22 at approximately 11 p.m. The search warrant was drafted by Major Ronnie Adkins and Major Mike Hensley of the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department after an approximate 3-week investigation into a meth lab and meth activity at the Ambrose residence.
The warrant had been approved by Criminal Court Judge Bob Cupp and Assist. D. A. Fred Lance.
Sheriff Kent Harris had received credible and reliable information that a meth lab was at the residence and also that the defendant was buying ephedrine from users. Upon execution of the search warrant, officers knocked at the door of the residence and announced to the residents that they were officers of the Sheriff’s Department. The Defendant Ambrose was observed by Lt.
David Walker running into the garage area of the building. At that point, Harris used a door ram to knock the door in and Cpl. Stacy Wigand and Regan Tilson, Investigator of the Erwin Police Department, entered with the Sheriff and made the initial take down of the defendant. Upon a search of the garage, the components for a meth lab were found, including ephedrine, chemicals, and containers used to manufacture methamphetamine.
Several glass pipes used to smoke meth were found, in addition to marijuana. Approximately 60 grams of ephedrine wash was found and sent to the TBI Crime Lab. A Haz-Mat team was called in to do clean up and also the Southeast Meth Task Force was called, as well.
A loaded .22 cal. semi-automatic handgun was found in the area where Ambrose, a convicted felon, was located. Unicoi County Sheriff’s Department and Erwin Police Department certified meth techs removed all of the hazardous materials from the residence. The certified officers on the scene included Cpt. Stacy Wigand, Sgt. Jimmy Chandler, Cpl. Greg Copp of the Sheriff’s Department, Investigator Regan Tilson and Patrolman Tony Buchanan of the Erwin Police Department.
A one-year old child belonging to Ambrose was taken to Unicoi County Memorial Hospital for evaluation as a precautionary measure. Notice was also filed v/s the property with the Unicoi County Register of Deeds as is required by state law.
The defendant Joey Ambrose was being held in the Unicoi County Jail as of late last week.
After arresting Ambrose, the UCSD issued six arrest warrants for the promotion of methamphetamine manufacture. The promotion of methamphetamine manufacture is a Class D felony and carries a sentence of up to ten years.
The six individuals served with these warrants purchased ephedrine, a key ingredient necessary to produce meth, and provided it to Ambrose. Sheriff Harris said Monday that five of the six individuals are in custody.
“These six were going and buying ephedrine, then selling the ephedrine back to the meth cook or were trading it for meth,” the sheriff said.
Also after arresting Ambrose, the UCSD continued to investigate other individuals believed to be involved in manufacturing meth. Sheriff Harris said that on Saturday, Major Hensley obtained enough information about two locations in Madison County, North Carolina for a search warrant.
Sheriff Harris said he contacted Madison County Sheriff John Ledford and that the two departments worked together to serve the warrants.
Meth labs were found at both locations and an arrest was made in connection with the labs. Madison County charged Jason Woody, 24, 687 Big Creek Road, Marshall, NC, with manufacture of meth.
Madison County officials have also issued warrants on three other individuals for the manufacture of meth.
Sheriff Harris said that his department will continue to investigate the production of meth in the area and that he anticipates more arrests.
“This whole group is connected together,” Sheriff Harris commented. “They’re sharing the ingredients. It’s harder to buy ephedrine, so they’re sharing that…It’s a pretty far reaching case.”
