Late Wednesday night members of Webster Parish law enforcement came together to track down and stop the manufacturing of methamphetamine in the town of Cotton Valley. The lab had been established in an old school bus, and its owner Troy Dean Simmons, II, 21 of Sarepta, was brought in for manufacturing meth and flight from an officer.

 

The investigation started with Cotton Valley Police Chief Terry Brown received intelligence suggesting that methamphetamines were being manufactured by a couple of locals. Understanding that investigation into such an offense is extremely dangerous and may tie into other open investigations, Brown contacted the narcotics division of the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department for assistance.

 

“I got a tip and knew this thing could become bigger than what we could handle alone,” said Brown. “I was happy to have the extra help.”

 

Following involvement from the Sheriff’s Department, narcotics officers Lt. Shawn Baker and Sgt. Barry James conducted surveillance on the suspects and determined that the materials known for cooking meth were being gathered.

 

“The chemicals, the products, the tubing…it was all being collected,” said Baker. “So we followed it.”

 

A traffic stop was initiated by Sheriff’s deputies, Cotton Valley Police and Sarepta Police officers on US Hwy. 371 in Cotton Valley, but the driver, Simmons, would not comply with the stop. Following a short pursuit, Simmons fled his vehicle on foot. 

 

During this incident, deputies initiated a stop on another individual suspected to have been involved. This driver, too, fled the scene.

 

A variety of materials used to manufacture methamphetamines were confiscated from the vehicles. A few short hours later, Simmons turned himself in to Cotton Valley Police.

 

Officers conducted a search of the property where Simmons was living, an old retired school bus. 

 

“His quarters also served as his laboratory,” said Baker. “And there was a very strong odor of anhydrous ammonia and other chemicals and evidence; all so dangerous—really hazardous.”

 

All evidence was safely and properly collected and inventoried by Sheriff’s narcotics officers, and Simmons was transported and booked into the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. Further investigation is underway, and additional suspects may be charged.

 

Cotton Valley Police Chief Terry Brown added his sincere appreciation of the other agencies in their cooperative effort to remove these drugs from the communities of Webster Parish.

 

In other news, two DWI arrests were made late Wednesday night by Sheriff’s deputies.

 

Phillip Edward Goodson, V, 36, of Bossier City was arrested for DWI 2^nd offense following a traffic stop for speeding on I-20 in Webster Parish. Other charges included open container and speeding.

 

David L. Sexton, 40, of Doyline was arrested for DWI 3^rd when he was stopped on US Hwy. 80 in Dixie Inn. Other charges included improper lane usage, open container, driving under suspension and second refusal to submit to a chemical test (within five years.) It was also discovered that he had an active warrant in Webster for a probation violation.

 

Both subjects were transported for booking into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.