Three arrested in Maryville meth lab bust
From Staff Reports
Authorities arrested three suspects Tuesday following a meth lab bust in the Parkside community in Maryville.
Brandon Keith Russell, 21, Atchley Apartments, Maryville, and Justin Allen Walker, 23, homeless, were arrested on charges of initiating the process of the manufacture of methamphetamine. They were being held in lieu of $50,000 bond each pending 9 a.m. Dec. 5 hearings in Blount County General Sessions Court.
Mary Elizabeth Hughes, 23, Point Circle, Maryville, was arrested on a charge of promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine. She was being held in lieu of $10,000 bond pending a 9 a.m. Dec. 5 hearing in Blount County General Sessions Court.
The arrests stemmed from an investigation by 5th Judicial Drug Task Force agents Tuesday afternoon which led to Point Circle in the Parkside community of Maryville, the Blount County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release. Agents observed two men walking from a wooded area between Pacific and Celtic avenues and upon investigation located an active meth lab and additional meth components in the area, the release states.
Other investigators then visited a Point Circle apartment nearby and spoke to the three occupants, identified as Hughes, Russell and Walker.
Authorities said they determined the meth lab and components belonged to them.
Maryville firefighters decontaminated Russell and Walker at the scene and Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force members arrived to properly dispose of the lab.
Maryville Police officers took the suspects to the Blount County jail.
Authorities said this marks the 20th meth lab found in Blount County this year.
