A joint effort between the Bryan County drug task force and CNT led to the raid of an Ellabell meth lab Thursday night. This marks the first such bust in Bryan County in 2008.
Here’s what happened according to BCSO Sgt. Gary Provost. The investigation developed when Richmond Hill Police Department Cpl. Jack Frost, the newest member of the Counter Narcotics Team, got a lead about drug activity tracing back to a residence on Whispering Pines Road in Ellabell. Provost said a search warrant was obtained based on the information.
About 20 CNT agents, including about a dozen local officers, arrived at the Whispering Pines residence around 8 p.m. Thursday night dressed in chemical protective clothing and donning gas masks – a requirement when entering a suspected meth lab.
Provost said agents entered the residence through an unlocked door, noting that surveillance cameras were aligned toward the front door, and found methamphetamine, scales, baggies, firearms and various materials used to manufacture meth.
Provost said several individuals were inside the home and 32-year-old Joseph Hughes, who resides at the residence, was arrested and charged with manufacturing and possessing meth and possession of fireman in the commission of a felony.
Provost said it was also established that Dawn Mobley resides at the home. He said she was not home but she will have a warrant issued for her arrest on the same charges because materials to make meth were also found in her bedroom. Mobley is currently out on bond stemming from an arrest on Oct. 6 for manufacturing meth.
Provost said Mobley’s connection to this case was a surprise.
"But I’m not surprised to see a repeat offender when it comes to charges such as this," he said.