Agents find about three pounds of suspected crystal meth in major bust

 

Agents found about three pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine during a major bust in January, authorities said. Agents made an arrest, and they also found three guns, more than $20,000 in cash, and other suspected drugs, including cocaine and MDMA, a press release said.

The Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force in Anderson County has been investigating the importation of crystal methamphetamine into the area since March 2015, the press release said.

Crime Task Force agents tried to locate and apprehend Leslie Steelman of 1094 Cove Lane in Oliver Springs on January 17, the press release said.

He was found at 913 Metler Lane, Lot 5, in Knoxville. With the help of other agencies, he was taken into custody, the press release said.

“Steelman was found hiding under clothing in a back bedroom of the house,” said the press release, which was from the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force.

He had a handgun and about one ounce of suspected methamphetamine, the release said.

After Steelman was arrested, the home where he was found was searched.

“Agents located approximately three pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine, suspected marijuana, suspected cocaine, and suspected MDMA,” the press release said. “In addition, agents located three guns and over $20,000 in cash.”

Steelman was booked into the Anderson County Detention Facility in Clinton on unrelated charges. The suspected drugs recovered at the time of his arrest have been sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for analysis.

“Because the lab has not yet completed its analysis of the drugs, charges arising from his recent arrest are still pending,” the press release said.

Since his arrest in January, Steelman has already appeared in Anderson County Criminal Court and been committed to the Tennessee Department of Correction to serve a prison sentence, the release said.

“We have been concerned about the appearance of a type of super-laboratory produced crystal methamphetamine or ice, which is a more pure form of the drug that is not locally made,” said Russell Barker, director of the Seventh Judicial District Crime Task Force. “The drug is imported through drug trafficking organizations just like cocaine or heroin. Interrupting the supply of crystal meth has been a long-term goal that we have worked hard on. I am very pleased with the work of our agents and grateful for the assistance of other agencies that have helped us. Getting this junk off the streets, along with the firearms we seized, makes our community safer for all of us.”

Anderson County District Attorney General Dave Clark said the quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine that was seized would amount to around 11,000 doses of the drug.

The arrest and seizure was the “result of a lengthy investigation and a lot of hard work,” Clark said.

“This was great police work!” he said.

More information will be added as it becomes available.