3 jailed in Webster Co. meth lab bust

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SDN Staff Reports

MABEN — Three people were arrested at a Webster County home Thursday with what law enforcement officials allege was an active methamphetamine lab.
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents arrested Bobby Gaskin, 43, and Reba Perkins, 44, and charged Gaskin with manufacture of methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and Perkins with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
Also taken into custody was Michael Hardin, 28, of 191 Drive 980, Apt. 26, in Tupelo, charged with manufacture of methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
The trio allegedly used pseudoephedrine pills purchased over the counter in Memphis, Tenn., Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officials said in a statement Friday afternoon.
Pseudoephedrine is an active ingredient in some cold and allergy medicines and is a key part of the process to produce methamphetamine, officials said, and it’s been available only by prescription in Mississippi since July 1.
Webster County deputies and MBN agents acted on a tip and conducted a consensual search at Gaskin and Perkin’s home at 257 Elmore Road in Maben, where they discovered the active lab, MBN Director Marshall Fisher said.
A small amount of methamphetamine as well as items commonly used to illegally produce methamphetamine, including lye, camp fuel, lithium batteries and ammonium nitrate, were also discovered in the home, he said.
All three suspects were taken to the Webster County Jail and were awaiting initial court appearances as of Friday.