Three arrested in Lee County meth bust

LEESBURG — Three Lee County residents have been arrested for manufacturing methamphetamine, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

“On July 1st of this year, the Lee County Narcotics Team served a search warrant at 802 Creekside Drive in Lee County and three subjects were arrested,” Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals said at a news conference Monday. “The following items were seized: approximately 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine (estimated street value, $4,500), marijuana, tools and chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. A 2011 Ford F-250 was also taken in the process, and there is a possibility that we will take the house as well because it’s paid for. These are the kinds of things that we look to take from drug dealers. We don’t want this in our county.”

According to LSO officials, the three individuals taken into custody during the raid were Chad Curry, 50, who was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of tools/equipment to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of marijuana; Amanda Williams, 31, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of tools/equipment to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of methamphetamine; and Brandon White, 37, possession of methamphetamine.

“The targets were part of a long investigation,” said Rachals. “Evidence shows that Chad Curry has been involved in trafficking over 3.5 pounds of methamphetamine around Lee County in the last year. He had also been manufacturing meth at his residence. More arrests are expected.”

Officials are continuing their investigation.

“It is important to me to stop this stuff because it affects a lot of things in the process, not just kids,” said Rachals. “It affects families. They are using their money on drugs instead of buying the kids cloths or food. It is a dangerous drug, it will kill you.”

According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant, made from pseudoephedrine and other household products like carburetor cleaner, lithium metal, ammonia, freon and hydrophosphorus acid which, even in small doses, creates a brief intense rush or high. But the drug is extremely dangerous. Meth has toxic effects. In animals, a single high dose has been shown to damage nerve terminals in the dopamine-containing regions of the brain and can elevate the body temperature to dangerous levels.

“It is becoming a serious problem. If you are doing this kind of thing you need to get some help,” said Rachals. “There is a demand here for this drug, that is why they are manufacturing it. It is affecting our county and our community, and we want to get rid of it.”