Carter County deputies raided a southwest side Ardmore residence Thursday afternoon, arresting four people and seizing a lethal type of methamphetamine known as “Ice,” more than two ounces of homemade methamphetamine and more of the drug in the “cooking” process.
Deputies Gregg Johnson and Gary Smith, Carter County Sheriff’s Department Drug Unit, obtained a search warrant for the residence of Danny Gene McMillan, 721 Pettit St., based on information gathered from an ongoing investigation.
“We had been receiving various bits of information about this residence for months. Recently we received a substantial tip from a person who wished to remain anonymous. The combination of the information we already had and the tip, that there was actual manufacturing going on, was enough to get the search warrant,” Johnson said.
When deputies entered the residence, they discovered four people standing at the kitchen counter.
“Methamphetamine — Ice –– was lying on the counter,” Johnson said.
McMillan, Charity Clark, Joe Don Barnes and Bradley Joe Riggs were all taken into custody without incident. The four were booked into the Carter County Jail pending charges that range from possession of narcotics to manufacturing and trafficking.
A subsequent search of the residence, vehicles parked at the house and a storage building resulted in the seizure of additional Ice, more than two ounces of methamphetamine that may have been manufactured on site, marijuana and drug paraphernalia including items used in the illegal “cooking” of methamphetamine.
Johnson said deputies also discovered an “in-progress cook.”
“Crushed pseudoephedrine (cold and allergy tablets) were found in the process of being cooked,” Johnson said.
Carter County Sheriff Ken Grace was on the scene and said the raid was an example of his commitment to eradicate methamphetamine and other illegal narcotics from the county.
“My pledge wasn’t just an idle campaign promise. I mean it. We are going to do everything we can to stomp out this problem,” Grace said. “And that means we will follow up on tips and investigate regardless of where it occurs in the county. We will also honor all requests from those who provide us tips but wish to remain anonymous.”
Grace said he strongly urges area citizens to take an active role in assisting in the war on drugs.
“We want everyone to remain alert to suspicious activities in and around their homes and businesses and we want them to report anything unusual they see, smell or hear, even if they are not sure what they’ve observed is really indications of a crime,” Grace said.
Persons wishing to report suspicious activity should call the sheriff’s department at (580) 223-6014.
Marsha Miller 221-6529
marsha.miller@ardmoreite.com
