Suspects in Meth Lab Bust Tried to Destroy Evidence with Fire

Five people have been arrested after officers in Gaston busted a meth lab on Tuesday, June 11th.

Deputies arrested Christopher Albert Huggins, 29, Jimmy Ferney Johnson, Jr., 38, Nancy Renee Krantz, 37, Robin Farris Krantz, 30, and Olivia Lessie Mason, 37, on drug charges for operating a meth lab.

According to reports, the officers arrived at the house to execute a search warrant for reported meth lab materials. When they arrived, they found many of the meth lab materials in a can outside Nancy Krant’z and Olivia Lessie Mason’s home. The items were burning, and the can was covered with freshly cut tree limbs.

Officers also found two small bags of methamphetamine on Robin Krantz. Huggins possessed two coffee filters with methamphetamine in them, as well as a small baggie of marijuana.

The suspects have received a variety of serious drug charges, including manufacturing methamphetamine, unlawfully disposing of waste from a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory, possession of meth, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Penalties for Meth and Other Drugs in South Carolina

South Carolina’s drug laws are among the stiffest in the nation. A first time offender charged with simple possession of marijuana can face up to thirty days in jail and be ordered to pay a fine, which can more than double when you add in court costs.

The penalties can significantly increase depending upon:

• The type of drug,

• the quantity of drugs,

• whether your case is brought in State or Federal court,

• your prior criminal record, or

• if you are accused of a drug crime within proximity of a

school, park, or childcare facility.

In SC, there are two types of possession charges:

• actual possession

• constructive possession

To be charged with actual possession, the drugs must physically be on you, i.e., in your pocket, jacket, purse, or hand; to be charged with constructive possession, the drugs can be found in your car or home.

To convict you for possession with the intent to distribute or sell drugs in South Carolina, the prosecution must prove that you had possession of a specific quantity of drugs. You may also be charged with drug distribution if the drugs even appeared to be packaged for distribution.

Under South Carolina law, the following amounts are sufficient to be charged with possession with the intent to distribute drugs:

• Marijuana: one or more ounces

• Crack Cocaine: one or more grams

• Heroin: two grains

• Cocaine:  one or more grams

Lexington County law enforcement officers announced, last fall, that they would begin a campaign to round up criminals who manufactured and distributed drugs, especially methamphetamines. Operations began in October 2012, with at least 13 reported arrests related to meth labs in Lexington County. Throughout the last several months, officers arrested several more suspects for operating meth labs in West Columbia and Lexington.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help With Drug Charges Related to Meth Lab Operation

The drug crime attorneys at Strom Law Firm, LLC will aggressively defend your case whether you are under investigation or have been arrested for drugs in all State and Federal Courts in South Carolina as well as the Federal Courts in Georgia. Drug cases, including meth lab busts, need to be examined from every angle,and  in many cases are subject to mandatory minimum sentences. Aggressive representation can protect your future. Drug crime charges and drug busts in South Carolina are very serious. If you have been charged with possession, trafficking, or manufacturing drugs, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so contact us today by calling (803)252-4800.