By Stephanie Nelson

Boone Newspapers

 

A trip to the store ended with a trip to jail for two local men after police found shopping bags filled with meth making items inside a vehicle Wednesday.

Scarbrough

Drug Task Force agent Paul Hudson said the items were found after Opp Police Officer Phillip Joyner made a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Jeremy Scarbrough for a traffic violation.

When it was determined that Scarbrough’s license was suspended and it was discovered he was wanted in Pike County for violating his probation, Joyner asked the vehicle’s passenger, David Drinkard, if he knew someone who would take possession of the vehicle.

“Neither could think of anyone, so prior to impounding the vehicle, Officer Joyner conducted a vehicle inventory, during which he found two Walmart bags containing two boxes of Equate Suphedrine, which contains pseudo ephedrine, and an unopened bottle of HEET Gas Line Antifreeze.

“Next, Officer Joyner located a plastic Fred’s bad containing charcoal lighter fluid, hydrogen peroxide and coffee filters, and a third Walmart bag that contained distilled water – all of these items are commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine,” he said.

Hudson credited Joyner’s adherance to policy and protocol for the discovery.

“The roots of all narcotic trade are the dealers and manufacturers,” he said. “These guys were either manufacturers or taking the items to the manufacturer. Either way, this dope will never hit the streets thanks to Officer Joyner.”

Both Scarbrough and Drinkard were charged with manufacturing a controlled substance II and possession of drug paraphernalia. Each is being held on a $220,000 bond. Scarbrough was also held without bond for the probation violation charge.