Three held on meth-related charges

HALIFAX — Months of investigation and the volunteer work of two off-duty deputies have led to the arrests of three people in the theft of farm fertilizer thought to be linked to crystal meth production, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

In a news release announcing three arrests, Maj. Bruce Temple acknowledged “the special dedication by deputies Charlie Jenkins and Dreher Bozard. In lieu of no overtime in the existing budget and a continued problem at the fertilizer plant (Halifax Fertilizer Company in Enfield) with larcenies, the deputies gave their own time to set up surveillance, which led to the apprehensions in this case. This dedication is actually typical in our office and the sheriff appreciates their efforts.” The efforts of the deputies led to the arrest of Adam Dwight Wise, 26, of Mount Olive, who was charged with possessing precursors to manufacture methamphetamine, felony conspiracy, second-degree trespassing, larceny and possession of marijuana.

Wise was confined to the Halifax County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.

Sammie Dean Porter, 43, of Clinton, was charged with possessing precursors to manufacture methamphetamine, felony conspiracy, second-degree trespassing and larceny. He was confined to the Halifax County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond.

Elizabeth Anne Finnicum, 26, of Clinton, was charged with felony conspiracy. Finnicum was confined to the Halifax County Jail under a $ 2,500 secured bond.

Temple could not be reached for further comment late Friday evening, however in March the sheriff’s office said it and the State Bureau of Investigation were investigating the theft of a common fertilizer also used to make crystal meth. While it is not believed there are any meth labs in Halifax County there was no evidence to suggest the theft of anhydrous ammonia from the company was perpetrated by economically strapped farmers.

The sheriff’s office said most likely the noxious compound was stolen for meth production outside Halifax County.

The theft of the chemical, which is used in the first eight weeks of farming operations, occurred over a matter of several weeks. The thieves apparently used small cylinders to tap into the larger cylinders where it is stored.

The theft was reported March 11 and an SBI hazmat team was called in to clean up some of the anhydrous ammonia spilled during the crime.