A traffic stop by a Morgan County Sheriff’s deputy and a search of a Hartselle residence on Dec. 23 resulted in the arrest and incarceration of 12 individuals on drug meth charges.

Charged with the unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance – methamphetamine first degree, with some facing additional charges as well as outstanding warrants, are: Thomas Collins White IV, Tawny Ward, Shannon Carpenter, Cheyenne Price, Jennifer Rakestraw, Brian Burnett, David Gonzales, Jerome Murphy, Daniel Walter, Nicholas Hill, Jason Hickey and Kristopher Hale.

Each subject is being held in Morgan County Jail in lieu of a $1 million bond.

Sheriff Ana Franklin reported that a traffic stop made in the Hartselle area by a sheriff’s deputy led to the multiple arrests. A car search uncovered several materials and chemicals associated with the manufacturing of methamphetomine and an amount of marijuana. Information obtained from the driver and two passengers led Drug Task Force agents, deputies and Hartselle police officers to a residence at 2007 Peach Orchard Road.

There, they located a one-pot meth lab lying on the ground next to the residence and made contact with two occupants and seven other individuals.

During a search of the dwelling, they located an additional one-pot meth lab inside a dumpster along with numerous hypodermic syringes, materials and chemicals associated with the manufacturing of meth.

They also located materials and chemicals within three vehicles on the property, all of which were seized by the task force agents.