Campaign again site of meth bust
Sheriff’s deputies returned to a familiar crime scene over the weekend, raiding a Campaign residence for a second time in the past few years, this time arresting a new pair of alleged meth makers.
The suspects, Stanley Eugene Bradley, 34, and Matthew J. Jones, 27, are charged with manufacture of meth, in what Sheriff Jackie Matheny said marked the biggest discovery of ephedrine, a major component of the meth-making process, ever found during a raid. Both men have criminal records, with Bradley recently being released from jail after serving a term on drug trafficking charges.
The raid came after nearby residents complained of smelling a strong chemical odor coming from the Bradley residence. Jones reportedly fled when lawmen arrived; however, he was chased down and taken into custody. Officers reported seeing iodine stains on Jones’ hands when he was handcuffed. Iodine is one of the chemicals used in the production of meth.
A search of the Friendship Road residence netted numerous items commonly used in the production of meth. Officers also seized 160 grams of ephedrine, a staple of the meth production process.
“I can’t ever recall finding that much ephedrine in one place before,” Matheny said. “That’s a lot of ephedrine.”
Matheny pointed out his officers had raided the same residence a few years ago, taking the former residents into custody on that occasion.