The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force continues to rid Shelby County of methamphetamine by stopping it at the source.

Within a three-day period, the task force arrested nine individuals for manufacturing the drug and disposed of two meth labs in local homes, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

On Aug. 10, investigators responded to a residence in the 100 block of Strawberry Road in Shelby to investigate a possible meth lab. Upon arrival, officers found hazardous materials needed to manufacture the drug, including sulfuric acid and ammonia nitrate.

The home was evacuated and seven arrests were made. A hazardous response team recovered the ingredients.

Aug. 13 investigators uncovered another meth lab in the area of 1800 County Road 99 in Shelby.  Two arrests were made and a hazardous materials contractor was called on to properly dispose of the lab.

“It is disheartening to know that these nine adults chose to associate themselves with such a damaging substance as methamphetamine,” said Lt. Chris George, commander of the task force. “Meth continues to be taxing on our task force, hazardous materials teams, our jails and the court system.”

George said the task force continues to focus on meth in its “ZeroMeth” campaign, educating the public about the dangers and warning signs. 

“If someone calls in about a suspected meth lab, we’re going to look into it,” George said. “It stays on the white board until we resolve it.”

The following individuals were arrested: Tonya Gail Collins of Verbena, 30; Michael Levon Collum of Shelby, 26; John Michael Goheen of Shelby, 48; Wyatt Matthew Davenport of Shelby, 29; Crystal Denise Davenport of Shelby, 27; Glenda Campbell Hallman of Shelby, 41; Roy Dewight Ingram of Shelby, 56; Theresa Jewel Wilcox of Calera, 36; and Jeffrey Wayne Wooten of Shelby, 43.