Drug distribution out of camper trailer disrupted; two arrested

DOUBLE SPRINGS     - The continuing investigation into distribution of methamphetamine from a camper  has resulted in two persons being arrested after two  informant-related drug buys, according to the Winston County Sheriff’s Office.
Ericka Lashae Callahan, 38, who was living at a camper trailer located in a hollow off County Road 32, in Double Springs, has been charged with two counts of distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Winston County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Josh Edwards.
Steven R. Flanagin, 39, of the same address, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Edwards said.
The sheriff’s office has been conducting an investigation over the past six months into possible distribution of meth from the camper trailer, according to Edwards. This resulted in a search warrant issued around 11:30 p.m. on July 24, but the actual arrests did not occur until November 21, Edwards explained.
“Sometimes things take awhile,” Edwards said. “She wasn’t taken into custody that night. Warrants were obtained for her arrest, based on the findings of the search warrant, as well as the two distribution warrants that were already issued.”
These distribution warrants, Edwards explained, stemmed from the two buys conducted with Callahan through an informant, he stated.
“She had been selling drugs for quite some time,” Edwards pointed out.
Approximately 10 grams of meth have been confiscated by the sheriff’s office during the course of the investigation so far, with 3.5 grams of meth actually located at the camper trailer, Edwards said.
Paraphernalia located at the camper trailer included pipes, bongs and plastic bags, according to Edwards.
On November 21, the sheriff’s office executed the arrest warrants against Callahan, who was located at the camper trailer and charged, along with Flanagin, who was also arrested and charged, sheriff’s officials said.
“The investigation is still ongoing,” Edwards emphasized.
“Any type of drug selling in its nature is serious because all crimes revolve around drugs,” Edwards pointed out. “So we are going to attack it.
“If you are selling drugs in Winston County, at some point you are going to be arrested for selling drugs in Winston County,” Edwards continued. “We work where the complaints are.”
Winston County Sheriff Caleb Snoddy noted he was proud of his investigative team for their work in this lengthy and ongoing investigation.
“If you are suspected of drug trafficking or distribution of a controlled substance in Winston County, we will be at your door,” Snoddy emphasized.  “It may not be today. It may not be tomorrow, but you will be arrested and you will be charged.”
Winston County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Josh Bennett added, “I am extremely proud of my guys for getting all this meth off the street. Any amount is a good amount. We are going to continue to crack down on distribution, trafficking and any dope-related cases in this county.
“If you are selling or distributing dope, we’re going to find you eventually and we are going to put you in jail,” Bennett added.

*When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.