Meth Bust

          The Echols County Sheriff's Office responded to 198 Izell Lane, after receiving information of possible methamphetamine manufacturing occurring at the residence with children present.  As Sheriff Courson arrived at the residence he noticed one of the occupants, Patricia Gill, 21, moving quickly toward her bedroom.  Sheriff Courson received consent to search the home from Gill’s mother.  Gill’s mother stated Patricia was in her bedroom changing and would be out in a minute.  Sheriff Courson noticed the house was in complete disarray and smelled a chemical odor indicative of methamphetamine manufacturing coming from Patricia’s room.  A search of the bedroom revealed components commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine in Gill’s bathroom where it appeared that Gill had flushed the chemicals down the toilet.  Due to the overwhelming chemical odor, Sheriff Courson evacuated all occupants from the home and notified Investigator Neel to respond to the scene to process the evidence with the proper protective gear.  After properly ventilating the house, the consent search continued.  A quantity of suspected methamphetamine, which was packaged individually, and scales and smoking devices were recovered from Gill’s bedroom.  The items that were located indicated possible sale of methamphetamine was taking place at the residence.  DFACS was notified and the children were removed from the home.  Gill was taken into custody and charged with felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and felony possession of tools used in the commission of a crime. Gill was transported to Lowndes County Jail where she was booked and processed.