FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 23, 2004

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-600-8119

HIGHWAY PATROL TRAFFIC STOP RESULTS

IN DISCOVERY OF TWO METH LABS

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Highway Patrol today, along with the Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET), arrested five people after a Highway Patrol traffic stop led to the discovery of a mobile methamphetamine lab in the vehicle and a second lab at the driver’s residence.

Around 7:30 a.m. a trooper observed a 1997 Pontiac Sunfire traveling on Jessamine Road in Lexington County. The trooper recognized the vehicle’s driver because he had charged him with driving under suspension in December. As the trooper attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver pulled into his residence and three occupants fled from the vehicle and attempted to run into the house. The trooper apprehended the driver before he made it into the house.

During a search of the driver and his vehicle, the trooper found an ounce of methamphetamine in his pocket and a mobile methamphetamine lab in the trunk of his vehicle. The Lexington County Narcotics Enforcement Team assisted the Highway Patrol in serving a search warrant on the residence.

A search of the residence revealed another methamphetamine lab in the basement. There were four adults and two children (ages 3 months and 5 years old) at the residence. The driver, Keith E. Smith Jr., 24, was charged with driving under suspension second offense and trafficking/manufacturing more than 400 grams of methamphetamine. The mother of the children, Stephanie E. Smith, 1202 Jessamine Road, was charged with trafficking/manufacturing more than 400 grams of methamphetamine and child neglect. Charles A. Seibert, 22, and Tammy C. Kleven, 45, 1202 Jessamine Road, and Melissa E. Taylor, 25, 544 Acie Bouknight Road, Gilbert, were also charged with trafficking/manufacturing more than 400 grams of methamphetamine.

DEA also assisted the Highway Patrol.

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SI/02/04