12:07 pm Mobile meth lab in truck results in two arrests
The report of a suspicious vehicle parked at the Sunshine Market II on the Bristol Highway over the weekend resulted in the discovery of a convicted felon with a weapon and a mobile methamphetamine lab, police said.
Brian Hopson
Lt. Dean Jones of the Carter County Sheriff’s Department said he was dispatched to 1033 Bristol Highway on Friday in reference to a suspicious male in a black pickup truck. A male subject had been passed out in the passenger side of the truck, the motor was running and the windshield wipers were on.
Tracy Davis
The man in the passenger seat, Brian Keith Hopson, 41, of 557 Bowers Branch Road, Hampton, told Jones he did not know how he got there. Hopson reportedly said he did not have anything illegal on him and had not taken any medications. He then handed his jacket to Deputy Brady Higgins to be searched.
In addition, Hopson handed Jones two pill bottles which contained white and peach colored pills, belonging to another individual. Deputy Higgins located a loaded .22 caliber revolver in Hopson’s jacket.
Hopson told Jones he did not know where the weapon came from. The lieutenant noted that Jones was a convicted felon. He was then arrested for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
During a detailed search of the vehicle, Higgins located a mason jar in the passenger floorboard and asked Jones what it is. Jones said he observed a bi-layer liquid, red and clear in color, which he associated with a pill wash for a methamphetamine lab. The pill wash, or pill reduction, is used to initiate the cook process and involves the mixing of two or more ingredients in order to reduce ephedrine down to the manipulative form.
In addition, he located a gallon jug of muratic acid, a bottle of peroxide and a second mason jar with a white residue and liquid. The jar was found in the bed of the truck, Jones said.
Lt. Tim Horne with the department’s narcotics unit was called to the scene to further investigate the findings. The Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force was additionally called due to the potential for bio-hazard exposures and to neutralize the toxic materials.
Lt. Jones said that during his investigation, he determined the owner of the vehicle, Tracy Davis, 39, of Browns Branch Road, Hampton, had been driving the vehicle and left the area before police arrived.
Hopson and Davis have been charged with initiation of process intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Hopson also faces charges of carrying or possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of controlled substance and possession of a legend drug.
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