Meth lab busted in Nashville

Published 9:37 pm Monday, December 5, 2005

NASHVILLE — Months of investigation by officers in Berrien County led to the seizure of 15.1 grams of methamphetamine at a Nashville residence this week, along with the tools for making more.

Police executed a search warrant at the 206 Bay St. residence of Craig Channell, 37, on Monday and found no one at home, according to a press release by Capt. Andy Owen of the Nashville Police Department.

A search of the residence turned up the meth and what was later determined to be strainers for cooking of the meth. Also discovered was a .25-caliber pistol, several small bags for distributing these items, a small amount of marijuana and other drug-related paraphernalia, Owen reported.

Warrants were taken for Channell and Nicole L. Breder, 29, 206 Bay St., on charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of controlled substances, violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Police said the two haven’t been located.

After the search was completed at the residence, the owner of the business where Channell worked asked police to look around. Police and Berrien County Sheriff’s Department deputies determined a lab had been set up in the cabinet shop, the release said.

Police said the business owner had no idea illegal activity was taking place in the shop. Channell had a key to the shop and would come back late at night, the release said.

Owen credited night surveillance equipment made possible through a grant from the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center with aiding Nashville police in the investigation.