SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Sheriff's Office Takes Down Methamphetamine Lab in Pace: 3 Charged

On December 6, 2007, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit went to a residence located at 3908 Legend Creek Circle in Pace after receiving information that there was methamphetamine being produced at that location. After the narcotics detectives arrived, they were able to substantiate the likelihood of methamphetamine being produced at that location. Sheriff's Detectives also observed on of the suspects leaving the residence and purchasing chemicals necessary for the production of methamphetamine at a local store. When deputies made contact with the owner of the residence, they were allowed to search it, at which time they discovered all of the components necessary to cook methamphetamine. The suspects had just started the process. Some of the items found were ammonia, homemade condensers, salt containers, ephedrine, lithium batteries, camping fuel, drain cleaner, fertilizer, and more. The cook could have yielded approximately $3000 of methamphetamine. The lab was dismantled and disposed of by a hazardous materials collection team after samples were taken and photographed for evidentiary purposes. Other charges are forthcoming.

Narcotics detectives arrested three suspects for the below mentioned charges. Their photographs are attached to this email.

Suspects:

Darrell Winston Smith, 25 years old, W/M

$150,000.00 Bond

Michael Wayne Hall, 32 years old, W/M

$55,000.00 Bond

Brittany Brooke Smith, 16 years old, W/F

Turned over to DJJ

Charges (all the same for each suspect):

Trafficking in Methamphetamine

Possession of Listed Chemicals to Manufacture Methamphetamine

Press Release By:

Sgt. Scott Haines

Media Relations Unit

(850) 981-2136 or shaines@srso.net