An Investigation Stemming from a May Meth Bust Leads to Arrest of Tammy Lynette Brown and Harry Dean DeCock, Jr. (both of Shepherd). Both Were Arrested, Decontaminated, and Booked Into Polk County Jail.
Harry Dean DeCock, Jr., 28, of Shepherd
Tammy Lynette Brown, 41, Shepherd
Lt. Andy Lowrie (left) and Sgt. Howard Smith do the dangerous work of dismantling a hot meth lab.
Polk County Sheriff's Detectives Bust Mobile Meth Lab, GOODRICH, July 2, 2010 - At around 1 pm on July1, 2010, Polk County Sheriff Detectives Lieutenants Andy Lowrie and Mark Jones spotted a white Chevy Blazer south-bound on US-59 in the area of Goodrich. This was a vehicle that was being sought in an investigation stemming from a meth lab bust thatoccurred on May 17th in the subdivision of North Glen in the Leggett area. Lowrie and Jones spotted the vehicle and attempted to pull the it over, but the driver didn't immediately pull over, "We followed 'em for about a mile. They had their windows down for ventilation", Lowrie said. The vehicle finally pulled over on the south-bound side of 59 in Goodrich across from the Goodrich truck stop. As Lowrie and Jones approached the vehicle there was a heavy chemical smell in the area. When they stepped up to the vehicle, the passenger, Tammy Lynette Brown, 41, of Shepherd had a large bottle of cooking meth sitting between her legs. Brown and the driver Harry Dean DeCock, Jr., 28, also of Shepherd were removed from their vehicle, cuffed and transported to Polk County Jail. Jones and Lowrie (now joined by multiple other local law enforcement including Goodrich Fire Chief, Ken Hambrick) searched the vehicle and confiscated over 400 grams of methamphetamine. Additionally, they confiscated generous amounts of chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Both DeCock and Brown are already on probation, Tammy Brown is on probation for sexual assault of a child. Brown and DeCock were relatives of the suspects that were arrested in North Glen on May 17. According to Lowrie, at least 5 more arrests are pending in the ongoing investigation.
Both were charged with: Manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance (felony), Felony possession of a controlled substance, and possession of chemicals for manufacturing a controlled substance. Both are being held on $150,000 bond each. (One narcotics detective was quoted as saying, "That's not a high enough bond for those two").
The white Chevy Blazer was stopped on the south-bound side of US-59 in Goodrich.
Goodrich Fire Chief Ken Hambrick helps Lieutenant Lowrie don protective gear for handling a hot meth lab.
Lieutenant Lowrie moves the most dangerous part of the lab a safe distance away. The mixture of hot chemicals is highly toxic and explosive.
Lowrie places the dangerous bottle on the ground.
(left to right) Lieutenant Mark Jones, local Ranger Ron Duff, Goodrich Fire Chief Ken Hambrick
Lieutenant Lowrie and Sergeant Smith set up a tarp to inventory evidence.
The right lane of 59 South was blocked during investigation.
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