By Staff
Staff reports
Law enforcement agents swept a house Sunday near the Covington County line and recovered an operational crystal methamphetamine lab. They arrested two people.
Christopher Scott Etheridge, 32, and Stephanie Etheridge, 28, both of 23046 Highway 29, were arrested Sunday at their home when agents recovered more than 28 grams of crystal meth and a firearm, along with the meth lab.
A forensic analyst from the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Mobile responded to the scene and took custody of the drug evidence and collected samples of the liquids from the meth lab for additional analysis, a news release said.
A hazardous materials team from SWS Environment from Pensacola, Fla., also responded to the residence and collected the lab for proper disposal.
Both Etheridges were charged with first-degree unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance and trafficking methamphetamine.
They were transported to the Escambia County Detention Center. A bond hearing for each suspect was set for Tuesday.
Agents with the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force were joined by officers from the Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and Escambia County Sheriff's office.
The arrests are a result of an investigation involving agents with the 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Fore, 22nd Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force and Capt. Mark Anderson from the Florala Police Department.
The 21st Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force is comprised of the following law enforcement agencies: Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, East Brewton Police Department, Brewton Police Department, Flomaton Police Department, Escambia County District Attorney's office and the Escambia County Commission.
The Task Force receives 50 percent of its funding from a grant funded by the Bureau of Justice Affairs Division of the Untied States Department of Justice.
It is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. The remainder of the funding is provided by the Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Atmore Police Department, Brewton Police Department and the Escambia County District Attorney's office.