Three arrested, one wanted from Somerville meth bust
Three people have been arrested and another is at large in connection with a methamphetamine manufacturing operation in Somerville, which was raided Wednesday night.
Verlon Ralph “Alabama Baby Maker” McClaine, Lanita Faye McClaine and Ralph Heath McClaine were all arrested and charged with four counts each of unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance first degree – methamphetamine, unlawful possession of felony drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Bail was set at $1.005 million each by District Court Judge Shelly Waters.
Authorities are also looking for Casey Todd Houser, who is also wanted in connection with this case.
On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Morgan County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant the home of the suspects, located at 396 Turtle Creek Road in Somerville. Authorities obtained information over a several months pertaining to the manufacturing of methamphetamine occurring in a garage building on the property.
Task force agents determined that Houser was cooking meth on a daily basis been in the garage and that numerous suspects were providing precursor chemicals, as well as materials, to manufacture methamphetamine.
During the investigation, Verlon Ralph McClaine told agents that he was aware that meth was being cooked in garage building and that it had been going on for several weeks.
Agents located four one-pot methamphetamine labs, along with equipment, materials and chemicals associated with producing methamphetamine.
Four grams of methamphetamine were also located in the bedroom of Verlon Ralph McClaine and Lanita Faye McClaine. Several homemade drug paraphernalia items used to smoke and snort Methamphetamine were also found.
Somerville Volunteer Fire Department was called to scene to assist in the removal of two oxygen tanks that were converted to store anhydrous ammonia, provide medical assistance and decontaminate the suspects before being transported to the Morgan County Jail.