Tunica County, MS -
FAST FACTS
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Tunica County, MS 7/22/2009) Authorities discovered a methamphetamine lab in a Tunica Casino hotel room, and now four people could face life in prison.
Those four people who booked that room have new accommodations now at the Tunica County Jail.
Sheriff's Deputies say the operators of a meth lab in a room on the 4th floor of the Sheraton Casino hotel took a real gamble setting it up here.
They lost their bet after casino security devices alerted employees to a problem. "The fire alarm system was activated for that room, not the entire casino hotel but that room. Once they went to the room to check that alarm out, this is when it became obvious. said Tunica County Chief Deputy Randy Stewart.
Many people might think what's obvious is that all the traffic and security here would make this the worst place in the world for an illegal drug lab.
Others though, aren't so surprised. "What's your reaction? About the meth lab in a motel? Well, they do it everywhere. It's not shocking to me." said Perilynne Whitt of Dyersburg, TN
The discovery at about 9:30 Tuesday night, triggered first an evacuation of a few rooms at the hotel, then the entire fourth floor.
Authorities even shut off the hotel ventilation system to stop the spread of toxic fumes.
Sheraton security, Tunica Sheriff's Deputies, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated and took in four people for questioning.
The suspects in this case are in for a tougher time than usual. Their arrest comes as a new state law takes effect that can put meth manufacturers in prison for life.
But why the hotel? Tunica County Chief Deputy Randy Stewart says illegal drug makers often use other's property to operate, so they can protect their own."If you make it in someone else's hotel room it's hard to seize their hotel room. If you make it at your own residence we can seize your house," Said Stewart.
In a written statement, a spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment, owner of the Sheraton says, guest security remains a top priority and that; "The hotel room where the operation was discovered is being completely renovated to the standards recommended by the investigating Hazardous Materials team."
Shocking as it might seem, many say we haven't heard the last of this kind of thing. as long as casino style security is not the standard for other businesses "As long as they're not that type of security or anything, people that are into that kind of thing are gone do it anywhere and everywhere they can." said Whitt.
Tunica County Sheriff KC Hamp expects to deal these four suspects a very bad hand.
Criminal charges may include; possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of stolen property, of the drugs themselves, and for making them, and likely several others.
It would seem the suspects made a very bad bet setting up shop in a casino.
- Fire Alarm Triggers Investigation
- Entire 4th Floor Evacuated for Safety Reasons
- Four Suspects In Sheriff's Department Custody
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Tunica County, MS 7/22/2009) Authorities discovered a methamphetamine lab in a Tunica Casino hotel room, and now four people could face life in prison.
Those four people who booked that room have new accommodations now at the Tunica County Jail.
Sheriff's Deputies say the operators of a meth lab in a room on the 4th floor of the Sheraton Casino hotel took a real gamble setting it up here.
They lost their bet after casino security devices alerted employees to a problem. "The fire alarm system was activated for that room, not the entire casino hotel but that room. Once they went to the room to check that alarm out, this is when it became obvious. said Tunica County Chief Deputy Randy Stewart.
Many people might think what's obvious is that all the traffic and security here would make this the worst place in the world for an illegal drug lab.
Others though, aren't so surprised. "What's your reaction? About the meth lab in a motel? Well, they do it everywhere. It's not shocking to me." said Perilynne Whitt of Dyersburg, TN
The discovery at about 9:30 Tuesday night, triggered first an evacuation of a few rooms at the hotel, then the entire fourth floor.
Authorities even shut off the hotel ventilation system to stop the spread of toxic fumes.
Sheraton security, Tunica Sheriff's Deputies, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated and took in four people for questioning.
The suspects in this case are in for a tougher time than usual. Their arrest comes as a new state law takes effect that can put meth manufacturers in prison for life.
But why the hotel? Tunica County Chief Deputy Randy Stewart says illegal drug makers often use other's property to operate, so they can protect their own."If you make it in someone else's hotel room it's hard to seize their hotel room. If you make it at your own residence we can seize your house," Said Stewart.
In a written statement, a spokesman for Harrah's Entertainment, owner of the Sheraton says, guest security remains a top priority and that; "The hotel room where the operation was discovered is being completely renovated to the standards recommended by the investigating Hazardous Materials team."
Shocking as it might seem, many say we haven't heard the last of this kind of thing. as long as casino style security is not the standard for other businesses "As long as they're not that type of security or anything, people that are into that kind of thing are gone do it anywhere and everywhere they can." said Whitt.
Tunica County Sheriff KC Hamp expects to deal these four suspects a very bad hand.
Criminal charges may include; possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of stolen property, of the drugs themselves, and for making them, and likely several others.
It would seem the suspects made a very bad bet setting up shop in a casino.
