An investigation into potential drug activity at a Cookeville Highway residence led to the discovery of meth and items used in manufacturing, resulting in an arrest Monday, January 9.
Sgt. Junior Fields of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, along with Sgt. Dusty Hailey, went to 134 Cookeville Hwy upon receiving information of drug activity at the residence.
Upon arrival, Fields spoke with 44-year-old Sandra Lankford of Carthage, at which time he advised her why he was there and requested to come inside and speak with her, to which she said agreed, according to the arrest warrant.
Upon entering the residence, both Fields and Hailey noticed a set of digital scales with coffee filters sitting on the kitchen stove, which were later observed more closely and discovered to be containing a small amount of a white, powdery substance that field tested positive to be methamphetamine.
Fields advised Lankford that they had reason to believe methamphetamine was being manufactured at the residence.
According to the arrest warrant, children were present at the residence.
Fields asked Mrs. Lankford to call Mr. Ed Lankford, at which she did, and he arrived approximately five minutes later, according to the arrest warrant.
Mr. Lankford took Fields down to the basement and unlocked the door, at which time Fields located two bottles with liquid inside them that appeared to be gasser bottles used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Also located was a bottle of drain cleaner.
Further search of the residence revealed a container of Coleman camping fuel under the kitchen sink, a coffee filter, rubber tubing, a plastic bag containing cut batteries, and an empty box of pseudoephedrine pills, located in an outside trash near the backdoor. More gasser bottles were located inside the trash and inside a bag in the back of a white Suburban in the backyard.
Also located in the kitchen area on of the deep freezer were a tool box containing a jar of salt, wire strippers, scissors, a jar of clear liquid, more tubing, and coffee filters — all of which are used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services were contacted and responded to the scene.
Mrs. Lankford was placed under arrest and transported to the Smith County Jail Facility for booking.
She is charged with three counts of child abuse and neglect (under six years of age) and promotion of methamphetamine manufacture.
The Drug Task Force notified the meth clean up truck, who responded to the scene and took the hazardous material.
Sandra Lynn Lankford
