'Ice' meth charges filed

MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

A Woodbury man, suspected by authorities of being a major figure in the influx of "ice crystal" methamphetamine in Cannon County, was arrested following an undercover investigation by the Cannon County Sheriff's Office.

Arrested was Justin Michael Anderson of Woodbury. Taking him into custody were officers from the Cannon County Sheriff's Office, Woodbury Police and Tennessee Highway Patrol.

Investigators Brandon Gullett and Chris Brown had been conducting an investigation "into the influx of ice crystal methamphetamine in Cannon County."
Meth usually comes in two forms: powder or rock. The powder form is usually white, odorless and bitter-tasting and can be snorted, smoked, eaten, dissolved in a drink and ingested, or heated and injected. The purer form of the drug, called "crystal," "glass" and "ice," appears as clear, chunky crystals that are usually smoked or injected.

"During the course of this investigation, I had two informants bring up the name Mike Anderson. The two informants mentioned that Mike Anderson was selling ice inside and outside of Cannon County," Gullett said.

The informants also told Gullett the suspect was delivering to various points it in his blue Nissan truck.

Investigators began to track Anderson and his blue vehicle.

Investigator Brown spotted Anderson pulling out of his apartment lot on February 5. Gullett picked up the vehicle on Lynn Street. When Anderson failed to signal his turn off Lynn, Gullett pulled him over on West Adams Street near Woodbury Grammar School.

"I asked Mr. Anderson for his license, which he handed to me. I then asked if he had any weapons for narcotics in the vehicle, which he stated 'No.' I then asked for consent to search the vehicle which he refused," Gullett said.

State Trooper Gary Myers then conducted a K-9 search around the vehicle with the dog giving a "positive alert" on the drivers side of the truck, the inspector said.

Anderson refused to exit until Gullett opened the truck door and ordered him out.

Gullett asked Anderson to place his hands on the vehicle so he could be searched, Anderson refused and became combative.

"Justin Michael Anderson was then taken to the ground and it took four officers to place him into custody due to him resisting," Gullett said.

Investigators found a large, clear bag inside the vehicle. Inside of the bag were two more bags "one having a crystal substance inside and the other having a green, leafy substance inside." Cash, totaling $469, was also seized.

Anderson was charged with the manufacturing, sale and delivery of methamphetamine and with the manufacturing, sale and delivery of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

A court date of April 5 was set in General Sessions Court.