Reckless Driver leads Sheriff’s Office to Meth Lab

The Drug Enforcement Unit of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office has quarantined 3870 Springplace Road after finding the components of a meth lab on Friday during the execution of a search warrant.

The investigation grew out of a traffic stop by two members of the drug enforcement unit who observed a vehicle that was passing cars in the grass along APD 40 near Waterlevel Highway.  They followed it to a business on Springplace Road where the driver pulled into a parking lot and got out.  Franklin Brank was issued traffic citations and inside the car the officers spotted several containers of pseudoephedrine.

DEU detectives later went to Brank’s home and reported a strong odor associated with the manufacture of meth was present at the front door.  They returned with a search warrant and recovered the components of a “pretty good size lab.”

Brank has been charged with reckless driving, criminal littering, and driving uninsured.  He posted bond and was released but additional charges are pending. Quarantine notices were placed on the property Friday night.

Since the law allowing law enforcement agencies to quarantine sites that were used for methamphetamine at least ten homes have been posted with no occupancy orders.  Two have been cleaned in accordance with environmental standards and are now safe for habitation.