Sheriff’s Department Catches Man Operating Meth Lab

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, answering a complaint about a suspicious vehicle Thursday night, discovered a 39 year old man operating a meth lab.
Sheriff Patrick Ray says Alvin Sink, Jr of Fairview Road, Crossville was arrested and is charged with manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of a schedule II controlled substance, and possession of a weapon with intent to go armed. His bond is set at $35,000 and he will be in General Sessions Court on the charges August 30th.
Officers also seized a Keltic 9 millimeter gun.
Sheriff Ray says officers found the meth lab after responding to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked at a residence at 175 Hickory Street, Smithville. He says one of the deputies noticed a handgun in the back of the vehicle and then he and another deputy heard what sounded like the noise of a running generator coming from behind the residence.
The officers walked around back and saw an outbuilding, opened up the door to the shed, and found Sink operating a meth lab. Sink was using the generator to provide electric power to the outbuilding.
Sheriff Ray says the officers executed a search warrant and discovered in the outbuilding muriatic acid, iodine, pseudoephedrine, components of a meth lab, and some finished product. Meth lab components were also found in Sink’s car.
According to Sheriff Ray, Sink did not reside at this Hickory Street address and the home appeared to be unoccupied. He says there was no electric service to the house. Upon a search of the home, officers found some meth lab components. Officers have been unable to locate the owner of the property.
Sheriff Ray says members of the Meth Task Force Response Unit of Chattanooga and Cookeville were notified and came to provide support and to help process the crime scene. The Hazmat Team was also there.
Meanwhile in a separate case, 29 year old Joel Hayes of Bobby Hayes Road, Smithville was pulled over on Evins Mill Road for a traffic violation Thursday.
Hayes was charged with driving under the influence, sale and delivery of a schedule II controlled substance (Hydrocodone), and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sheriff Ray says officers found on Hayes a small container of pills believed to be Hydrocodone. Deputies also recovered at the scene a pill grinder and snorting straws.
Bond for Hayes is set at $7,500 and he will be in General Sessions Court on August 30th.
If you have concerns about suspicious activity in your neighborhood or have information that could help solve a crime, Sheriff Ray urges you to call the anonymous tip line at 464-6400. You do not have to give your name.