The Laurel Police Department has been able to put a suspected “meth lab operator” behind bars and is searching for another.
LPD Narcotics Agent Michael Tolbert reported that Joshua Ulmer was taken into custody by law enforcement officials this week in connection with a drug investigation.
According to officials, Ulmer, 28, of Flowers Drive in Laurel, was arrested after several weeks of investigation by Laurel narcotic agents.
Tolbert said Ulmer’s arrest is the result of an extensive investigation, as well as, community awareness and support.
“He’s been the focus of an investigation into the sale of narcotics by this agency for some time,” Tolbert said. “We were able to close the case this week due to information we received Monday.”
Tolbert said once the narcotics division received the information needed, agents requested a search warrant of a residence located at 529 Flowers Drive.
Lt. Ken Williams and Tolbert executed the search warrant of the residence. Ulmer was the only person at the residence at that time.
“Once we got in there, we discovered that there was a crystal methamphetamine lab being operated at this residence,” he said. “There was methamphetamine — finished product, as well as chemicals used to make meth. ... It was an active meth lab.”
Tolbert said public information made a difference in this case.
“We are thankful for the citizens who reported the activities at this residence and called us with information,” the narcotics agent said. “ Manufacturing methamphetamine in the city is very uncommon and we don’t want it here. We are not going to tolerate this here.”
During the search of the residence, Tolbert said, officers found approximately four grams of finished methamphetamine, several chemicals used to make methamphetamine and some cash.
Officials said Ulmer was staying at the residence with Thomas Ray Gibson, who is believed to be the owner of the residence.
Tolbert said Gibson is also believed to have been involved in the manufacturing of the methamphetamine.
“We are still looking for a person, identified as Thomas Ray Gibson, who was at the residence but left before we got there with the search warrant,” Tolbert said. “Gibson is in his mid- to late 30s and lived at that residence.”
Officials said because of the items seized in the incident, Ulmer has been charged with one count each of possession of crystal methamphetamine and one count of possession of precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
Tolbert said because of narcotics agents’ finds, state officials were notified.
“The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics was called in to assist us at the residence,” Tolbert said. “MBN assisted us in pulling the samples and the clean up process.”
Tolbert said the meth lab has successfully been cleaned up and removed from the neighborhood.
Tolbert said Ulmer and Gibson are believed to have been operating the meth lab in the city limits of Laurel for some time. The narcotics agent said law enforcement officials are thankful to citizens for their help.
In connection with his arrest, Ulmer has been booked into the Jones County Adult Detention Center. He was expected to have his initial court appearance in Laurel Municipal Court this week.
Law enforcement officials are continuing to work to find Ulmer’s accomplice.
Anyone with information about this case or the whereabouts of Gibson can contact the Laurel Police Department at 601-425-4711 or Crimestoppers at 601-428-STOP.
“This is very costly to the citizens,” Tolbert added. “You don’t want the chemicals or this type of stuff going on around you, your family or anywhere near you. ... If we hear of it, we are going to get rid of it.”
Local News
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Photo/Eloria Newell James
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