OUR METH PROBLEM SPRAWLS TO SMYRNA

Warren Countians Caught Buying Meth Products Out Of Town

Smyrna Police Department arrested Warren County residents Greg Keaton,
Darris Cook and Jeff Lowery on drug and weapons charges last month,
bringing the grand total to 11 local residents arrested in Smyrna over the
last eight weeks on such charges. Keaton, who owns Keaton Trucking, came
under suspicion along with Cook and Lowery when they were reportedly
noticed buying multiple packs of cold medicine and gas treatment.

Charges included criminal conspiracy, simple possession of drugs, drug
paraphernalia, manufacturing, dealing and possession of schedule two
controlled substance and weapons charges.

"We've had a lot of problems with people buying antihistamine tabs," said
the officer in charge, Detective Sgt. Jeff Duke. "The area Wal-Mart
contacted us when they noticed the three each buying the cold pills so we
watched them for 40-45 minutes."

Duke said when they approached the trio, who were outside of Keaton's truck
bearing his local trucking logo, they allegedly found cocaine,
methamphetamine, and when they searched Keaton they reportedly found brass
knuckles and more meth concealed in his hat. Police also found marijuana
and a firearm inside the truck, another charge since it is a commercial
vehicle.

Keaton didn't return calls for comment but his local attorney, Michael
Galligan, said he believes his client will be vindicated in the end.

"I believe the matter will be resolved favorably for him," Galligan said.

"When someone's buying 19 packs of cold pills and a case of gas treatment,
it's not hard to figure out what they're up to," said Duke, who believes
the increase in meth arrests in Smyrna is related to businesses in
McMinnville being more aware of the items used in the production of meth.

"We have not had a lot of cases locally, but it is moving in this
direction," said Duke, who reported the incident of drug cases goes hand in
hand with other crimes like burglary.

Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny said he's not surprised at the amount
of local residents caught elsewhere buying supplies.

"We have good communications with local businesses," he said. "There's no
reason for someone buying a case of matches every week and a lot of
businesses are being very proactive about reporting it."

Matheny said meth manufacture has been on the rise since the whole
procedure can be done right here. Unlike cocaine, which has to be imported,
meth can be made using household products with information obtained on the
Internet.

"This is a bad situation," Matheny said. "The toughest I've seen in my career."

Matheny said he is hoping to have more tools in his enforcement arsenal
soon though. A store in another city was reported seized and sold at public
auction due to drug activity, and Matheny said it's not going to be long
before such an event happens locally.

"Seizing stores will be another tool we will soon have available to us," he
said. "It's just a matter of time."