10 Pounds Of Meth Seized By Officers

BEN WHEELER—The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, along with several other law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant at a residence on VZCR 4614 early Thursday morning. More than five pounds of methamphetamines was found at the location and another five pounds was found at two additional locations.

Ronald Jack Edwards, 52, Ben Wheeler, was arrested at the scene and charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Edwards’ wife was questioned and released.

Van Zandt County Narcotics Investigator Rusty Grimes said the residence was located approximately two miles outside of Ben Wheeler off of State Highway 64.

"We had received information that methamphetamines were being sold at this location," Grimes said. "We have been actively investigating the site for three to four months."

Grimes said that the sheriff’s office contacted the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) office in Tyler, who have been actively involved in the case.

"We contacted them because we knew this was going to be big," said Grimes.

Grimes said the search warrant, signed by a federal magistrate in Tyler, was executed at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday morning.

He said officers found three pounds of methamphetines in a shop area on the property and another two pounds buried at the location.

"We also knew of a delivery that was to be made to the residence by Edwards’ supplier out of Dallas. That supplier was stopped on a traffic stop and he was in possession of an additional three pounds," said Grimes.

Grimes also said that the supplier gave up a location in Dallas where another two pounds was being kept. Officers recovered that as well.

"We also found $10,000 at the residence and discovered that another $120,000 was being kept in a hidden bank account," said Grimes.

"Edwards was a major supplier for Van Zandt, Smith and Henderson counties. Sometimes these lengthy investigations are frustrating for us but it is important not to move on the case until an arrest can be made. It’s not just about recovering the drugs," said Grimes.

"We were assisted by the Smith County SWAT team due to the potential danger involved in a situation like this," said Grimes.

Also on the scene was Canton Police Department Narcotics Officer James Bradshaw, the Upshur County K-9 Unit and Smith County Precinct 5 Deputy Constable Mark Waters and his K-9 unit.

"We so appreciate all these guys coming out to help and I would like to say a special thank you to Deputy Constable Waters," said Grimes.

"I am proud that Van Zandt County is associated with agencies like the DEA. Together we can work to correct the drug problems in the county," said Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett.

Grimes urged anyone with information regarding narcotics crimes in the county to call the sheriff’s office at (903) 567-4133 or Van Zandt County Crimestoppers at 903-567-STOP.