by Al Summers
News Editor
alsummers@timescourier.com
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Tools of the trade
Above are some of the chemicals recovered in association with a “working” methamphetamine lab found last Tuesday, April 20, on Alpine Court. Most of the chemicals are toxic and explosive in nature, and have to be handled, and disposed of, by professionals familiar with their properties.
Contributed photo
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Gilmer County law enforcement officers continued to make progress against illegal drugs last Tuesday, April 20, with the discovery of a “working” methamphetamine lab and the confiscation of marijuana plants. The Gilmer County discovery led to another methamphetamine lab and other drug arrests in Bartow County.
According to Det. Stacy Nicholson of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department’s criminal investigation division, Peggy Strihafka, 49, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with the manufacture of methamphetamine and the manufacture of marijuana. Strihafka was out on bond from three pending methamphetamine cases and one misdemeanor case in Gilmer County Superior Court.
Gilmer County deputies and detectives executed a search warrant off Alpine Court and found two marijuana plants growing in a residence along with the methamphetamine lab. When the lab was discovered, agents from the Zell Miller Mountain Parkway Drug Task Force (DTF) were called in to secure the lab, disassemble it, and remove it.
Cmdr. Lynn Panter of the DTF told Nicholson that the lab was one of the larger labs found in Gilmer County in a while.
Also during the execution of the search warrant, officers found a loaded ammunition magazine for a semiautomatic SKS rifle. Agents from the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) were called to the scene to investigate.
By Friday, April 23, ATF and DTF agents were able to match the magazine to a gun in Bartow County. Upon the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Bartow County, agents located the gun along with another working methamphetamine lab. A total of five people were arrested in connection with the Bartow County discovery.
While Gilmer County deputies were patrolling in the area before Tuesday’s search, they made three drug arrests from traffic stops.
Sybil Alyene Bramlett, 44, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with probation violation and possession of an ounce or less of marijuana. Jamie Elaine Conner, 23, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with probation violation, defective equipment, license to be carried and exhibited on demand. Robert Wishon, 24, of Ellijay, was arrested and charged with probation violation, DUI (drugs), failure to maintain lane, illegal equipment, license to be carried and exhibited on demand, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.