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High-speed chase leads to arrests

A high-speed chase Friday night (April 11) led to the arrest of three people on drug charges, Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton said.

He said that shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, Deputy John Beasly had attempted to stop a speeding vehicle on Hwy. 155 south of Wisteria Road.

“Deputy Beasly then followed the vehicle to the area of Verbena and Wild Onion Road, but lost sight of the vehicle,” Betterton said. “Sgt. Wade Davis was in the area to assist when he was approached by a subject on Pearson and Wild Onion Road.”

Sgt. Davis was told that a vehicle was traveling down Pearson Road at a high rate of speed.

Officers then went to a mobile home at the end of Pearson Road to look for the vehicle.

“Officers then noticed a strong odor coming from the residence that they suspected was someone cooking methamphetamine,” Betterton said. He said that the two deputies approached the open front door of the mobile home, and “the chemical odor was so strong it was difficult for them to breathe.”

Sheriff Betterton said the deputies observed two women and a man inside the residence, and Sgt. Davis told them to step outside.

“Once they were outside, they found one of the females to be in possession of what appeared to be methamphetamine,” he said.

Sgt. Davis asked the homeowner for permission to search the residence, which was granted.

Deputies located and recovered more than seven grams of methamphetamine and a small amount of marijuana and a large amount of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Eagle Construction and Environmental from Fort Worth was notified and later arrived, taking possession of the hazardous chemicals and disassembling the lab.

Sheriff Betterton said that deputies took three people into custody over the suspected drug lab.

Arrested was Larry Gene Haskins, 48, Gilmer, who is charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Also arrested was Susan Marie Elder, 46, of Ore City, who is charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

Mandy Dawn Shaw, 30, of Gilmer, was charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. They were jailed under bonds of $56,500 each.

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