Police make two arrests after finding meth ingredients in car

By Staff Reports

Police say they arrested two men after finding ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine in their car.

Patrol Officer James Sexton of the Elizabethton Police Department said officers were dispatched to Walmart in reference to two men possibly shoplifting items used to manufacture methamphetamine. Officers found the two men, Christopher Beesley, 21, and Travis Matthew Johnson, 26, both of Mountain City, at a vehicle in the parking lot.

Johnson allegedly told officers he had just purchased pseudoephedrine for his seasonal allergies and Beesley said he purchased lithium batteries for his flashlight. Officers searched the men and their vehicle and located the pseudoephedrine and batteries, as well as liquid drain cleaner, camp fuel, coffee filters, two cold compressors, two bags of iodized salt and a crusher. They also located brass knuckles and a hypodermic syringe.

Both subjects were charged with promotion of methamphetamine manufacture. Johnson was additionally charged with prohibited weapon and Beesley was charged with unlawful drug paraphernalia.