By Jeremy Pittari
PICAYUNE — Two suspects were allegedly caught with precursor chemicals before they got a chance to cook.
Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier said that on Aug. 21 the department was notified that a suspect on Gumpond Road was allegedly in the process of purchasing chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine.
Narcotics investigators set up a surveillance operation on 37 year-old Scott Smith’s home, at 367 Gumpond Rd. During the surveillance they saw Smith and another suspect later identified as Christopher Dickens, 38, of 1249 Old Highway 24, Sumrall, leave Smith’s residence in separate cars.
Investigative stops were conducted on both vehicles. While the investigators did not find anything noteworthy in Smith’s vehicle, Dickens’ vehicle contained a box of pseudoephedrine pills, sulfuric acid, tubing and hydrogen peroxide, Saucier said. A search warrant was requested and conducted on Smith’s residence.
In the home the investigators found camp fuel, lye, hydrogen peroxide and ammonium nitrate, Saucier said.
Saucier said the search did not find any finished methamphetamine or a working lab.
“They got caught before they were even able to start cooking,” Saucier said.
Both suspects were charged with possession of precursor chemicals.
