Sheriff’s investigators are hoping the public can help them locate those responsible for discarding hazardous materials used in the manufacture of methamphetamine in the Autryville area recently.
The components were discovered while Criminal Investigation Division detectives were following up a case on Gray Street in Autryville. There, Sheriff’s Cpl. Marcus Smith said, a detective spotted a suspicious gym bag near a residence.
That bag, Smith said, contained items that could be used in the manufacture of meth.
Detectives contacted their colleagues in the Special Investigations Division who came to the scene to assist. As they scoured the area, SID agents found meth lab waste scattered in the wooded area between Autryville Town Hall and the post office.
Smith said in the wood line “in plain view” was a tint and a generator, along with other meth-making materials.
State Bureau of Investigations agents were contacted and the materials were removed without incident.
Smith said the investigation is ongoing and he encouraged anyone having information about the meth waste to call the Sampson County Sheriff’s Department at 910-592-4141.
This is not the first meth waste found in recent weeks. In fact, reports show that materials believed to be used in cooking meth have been found at so-called dump sites in various areas of the county over the past several weeks.
Sheriff Jimmy Thornton has said in previous interviews that dump sites are often the result of people tossing materials as they drive down the road, ridding them from areas around their residence where meth is often cooked.
Anyone who sees suspicious looking materials are asked to contact authorities and advised not to touch any of the components because many are hazardous.
Editor's note: That was listed in Crimewatch. I don't believe the two were related. Thanks for asking!