Neighbors speak out after meth bust - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) - A Thomasville man is in jail charged with manufacturing and selling methamphetamine in a neighborhood.

33-year old Albert Strickland, Jr is accused of operating a meth lab in his home in the Bay Drive neighborhood.

Narcotics agents were told Albert Strickland, Jr. would be driving south on Smith Avenue in Thomasville after purchasing ephedrine pills.

"We did receive information that he would be leaving a pharmacy here in town in a green Honda Accord. We did a traffic stop on him. We found a quantity of methamphetamine and a flashlight in the vehicle," said Narcotics Commander Kevin Lee.

And after searching the house where Strickland was staying, agents found plastic tubing, batteries, and other meth components.

"I mean I'm not passing judgement on anybody, but yeah that's dangerous. Any kind of drug is dangerous. I have kids and I don't want them to run across any kind of thing like that," said Neighbor Gary Hollis.

Hollis says he can not believe those chemicals were just down the street from his family's home. "Chemicals that can eat your skin up, that can kill you. And it's very very dangerous."

All of the folks we spoke with who live on Bay Drive in Thomasville say they had no idea what Stickland was doing.

Narcotics agents say active meth labs can be very flammable and explosive.

"With the new meth that they're using, the shake and bake, you have a greater chance of a fire occurring when these chemicals react," said Lee.

"It shouldn't be around. I mean I agree, whatever they got to do to stop that. I agree man. I got kids and I'm all about family," said Hollis.

Agents say they want the community to always be vigilant to unusual behavior.

"Yeah if you notice anything that's not normal. Like people going behind a residence or under a residence. If you smell a strong chemical odor," said Lee.

Strickland was denied bond and remains in the Thomas County Jail.

Strickland is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and criminal attempt to manufacture it.

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