A suspect’s decision to run prompted the search of a Palmetto Drive residence that resulted in three adults being arrested on a variety of drug charges including manufacturing a controlled substance in connection with the cultivation of marijuana on the property.
Arrested were Shirley Hawkins, 52 and John Hawkins, 23, both of 159 Palmetto Drive; and Jerry Phillips, 21, of Hwy. 4 in Jay, Fla. Each of the suspects faces multiple charges in connection with the case.
Escambia County Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said the arrests came after members of the 21st Judicial Drug Task Force received information concerning illegal narcotic activity at 159 Palmetto Drive, in the Dixonville area near Brewton.
“As officers arrived to make contact at the residence, a suspect fled out the back door and into a wooded area in the vicinity of Travis Road and Dixon Nursery Road,” Lambert said. “As a result of the suspect running, a search was done of the residence where narcotics officers discovered precursor chemicals, pseudoephedrine and other items that are consistent with the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine. A closer search of the property revealed a large number of marijuana plants that were being cultivated.”
Lambert said K9 tracking teams from Fountain Prison and Century Correctional Institution were called to the scene to assist in the search of the fleeing suspect.
“After a lengthy search and due to the large area of the foot pursuit, two more K-9 track teams from Santa Rosa Correc-tional Institution and the Escambia County, Fla., Road Prison were called in to assist,” Lambert said. “Aircraft was launched to the scene and used in the search for the suspect.”
Lambert said the suspect was taken into custody following a lengthy foot chase by deputies near the Travis Road and Fuqua Road area. The suspect sustained multiple cuts and scratches as a result of the chase.
The suspect was identified as John Hawkins, who had recently been on probation and had just been released, Lambert said.
Shirley Hawkins was placed under arrest on the charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance II – meth; and unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance II – marijuana.
John Hawkins was arrested on the charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, Unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance II – meth; and unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance II – marijuana.
Phillips was arrested on the charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia; unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance II – meth; and unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance II – marijuana.
Bond for each of the suspects was set at $100,000. All three suspects remained in custody at the Escambia County Detention Center as of press time Tuesday.
In an unrelated case, Drug Task Force agents also arrested a suspect charged with manufacturing crystal methamphetamine on Twin Bridges Road near Flomaton.
Agents received information in reference to the production of the drug and performed a search of the residence at 1119 Twin Bridges Road.
Lawanda Macks, who gave consent to search the residence, was arrested and charged with multiple drug-related crimes.
Lambert said DTF agents questioned Macks in reference to her involvement in illegal narcotics and purchasing pseudoephedrine.
While conducting a search at the residence, agents found crystal methamphetamine along with precursor chemicals, drug paraphernalia and other items consistent with the unlawful manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine.
Macks was arrested and charged with possession of precursor chemicals; unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance; unlawful possession of a controlled substance; and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Macks was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center and booked on the charges against her. She remained behind bars in lieu of a $100,000 bond as of press time.
Lambert said the case remains under investigation and other arrests are expected.
Anyone with information concerning illegal activity can contact the Escambia County Sheriffs Department at 867-0304.