BENTONVILLE — An Avoca resident was arrested Tuesday after narcotics investigators received a tip concerning a methamphetamine lab at the residence.
Sgt. Travis Newell, who heads the narcotics unit for the Benton County Sheriff 's Office, said besides the methamphetamine lab, the tip also indicated the resident is on parole, is a registered sex offender and had two guns in the residence.
Newell said investigators contacted parole officers, and a group went to the location at 13255 Elco Lane in Rogers to conduct a home visit. According to Newell, investigators located a onepot methamphetamine lab, numerous precursors for the manufacture of methamphetamine and two guns.
Billy Jack Brown, 53, was arrested on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by certain persons, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and for a parole violation warrant.
Brown is currently being held in the Benton County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
The meth-lab seizure Tuesday is the third onepot lab that BCSO's narcotics investigators have located this month, Newell said.
The one-pot method involves a meth cook mixing pseudoephedrine and other chemicals in a 2-liter bottle or can. Besides the method having a faster cooking time, Newell said that with the one-pot method, cooks do not need a heating source to manufacture the methamphetamine.
News, Pages 2 on 09/25/2009