(January 20, 2014) JACKSON TN – On Wednesday and Thursday, January 15 and 16, law enforcement agencies from around West Tennessee assembled in Jackson to conduct a joint operation to address the problem of pseudoephedrine diversion, an illegal activity commonly referred to as “smurfing”. The Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit headed the operation with assistance form the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, the Jackson Police Department’s Street Crimes, Gang Enforcement and K-9 Units, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Drug Investigation Division, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit, the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit, the 24th Judicial Drug Task Force and the 28th Judicial Drug Task Force.
This operation was performed in cooperation with local pharmacies to target persons purchasing pseudoephedrine products for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. Pseudoephedrine is the primary ingredient in decongestant cold medicines that have to be purchased through a pharmacy and not over-the-counter. It is also the most common essential precursor chemical used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance.
Throughout this operation, a total of 9 people were arrested and cases were developed on 8 of them for Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture which is a class D felony. In addition to the pseudoephedrine products, amounts of Methamphetamine, Morphine, Cocaine, Synthetic Cannabinoids and Drug Paraphernalia were recovered.
- Jennifer Diane Kemp, age 36, of 3451 Little Grove Road in Lavinia was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture.
- Christopher Neal Curtwright, age 22, of 236 Maple Street in McKenzie was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
- Dylan B. Staggs, age 27, of 335 Benco Hills Drive in Camden was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
- William C. Garner III, age 28, of 53 Bray Lane in Jackson was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell or Distribute, Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Felony Evading Arrest, Resisting Arrest and Driving on a Suspended Drivers License.
- Evan Andrew Walls, age 23, of 22 Ayers Drive in Jackson was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Violation of the Seatbelt Law.
- James J. Foster, age 29, of 113 Lakeshore in Jackson was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoids, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
- Mikel Wayne Pugh, age 43, of 1323 Longsought Road in Wildersville was charged with Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving on a Revoked Drivers License 3rd Offense.
- Casey Hairrell, age 37, of 42 D Street in Jackson was charged with Initiation of Methamphetamine Manufacture and Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
- Lonnie Peoples, age 63, of 3072 Ragsdale Drive in Milan was charged with Driving on a Revoked Drivers License.
Anyone with additional information about any of these cases or any other drug activity can call the Jackson Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit at 731-424-6485 or CrimeStoppers at 731-424-8477.
