DARLINGTON COUNTY, SC (WBTW) – Four people were arrested following a traffic stop in Darlington County Thursday when deputies discovered parts of a meth lab inside the vehicle, according to Sheriff Wayne Byrd.
Sheriff Byrd says drug enforcement agents pulled over a car in the 2000 block of Bonnie Drive sometime Thursday. The agents discovered “all the makings of a methamphetamine lab” inside the car, Sheriff Byrd confirms. During the traffic stop investigation, agents discovered that more meth could be found at a home on Candy Lane.
The owner of the home on Candy Lane allowed agents to search the house, and as agents were approaching the home, they saw a man run towards the back of the property. Three agents went inside the house to apprehend a male subject and prevent him from “disposing of the evidence,” according to Sheriff Byrd.
Drug agents found the man in the bathroom trying to get rid of the meth ingredients, officials state. Officers briefly fought with the man before taking him out of the house. During the course of the struggle, three agents were exposed to harmful gases and were taken to a local hospital where they were all treated and released.
During the course of the traffic stop and the house raid, agents arrested four people.
Heather Elaine Mauk, 30, of Darlington, is charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and disposal of methamphetamine waste.
Joseph Andrew Lockamy, 37, of Darlington, is charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine.
Johnny Ray Boan, II, 22, of Timmonsville, is charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine and disposal of methamphetamine waste.
Michael Christopher Owens, 31, of Effingham, is charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and possession of methamphetamine.
Sheriff Byrd says this is an ongoing investigation and more charges are expected.
