Couple Arrested for Manufacturing Meth

A Lenoir couple suspected for manufacturing methamphetamine got a surprise visit from drug agents of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office Ice Unit, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and Lenoir Police Department in the morning hours on March 4, 2010.   A search warrant in connection for a methamphetamine laboratory and illegal drugs was issued by Superior Court Judge Beverly T. Beal and executed at their residence located at 2431 Woodridge Court in Lenoir.  Grady Hartwell Mangum age 38, and Melissa Elizabeth Gilbert age 30, were both found inside the home and taken into custody without incident.  Because of the extreme dangers involved with meth labs, the NCSBI Special Response Team assisted by the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team executed the search warrant.

As a result of a methamphetamine initiative taken by the Sheriff’s Office Ice Agents, they learned the suspects had been purchasing an “unusual amount” of ephedrine based products such as Sudafed and other generic brands at various stores throughout Caldwell County.  This activity, dubbed “smurfing”, is not uncommon with individuals who are involved with making meth. 

“Our drug agents routinely check the pseudoephedrine logs for this type of activity.   If you are involved, you need to be very worried”. – Sheriff Alan C. Jones

The agents were also able to make a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from them at their residence.  Coupled with other credible information and surveillance, the agents also learned the suspects were cooking meth on a regular basis.

As a result of the search, several items indicative of manufacturing meth were found. 

The following persons were arrested and charged with the listed crimes:

Grady Hartwell Mangum Jr, W/M, age 38
2431 Woodridge Court
Lenoir, NC 28645

• One (1) Count – Felonious Manufacture of Methamphetamine

• One (1) Count – Misdemeanor Failure to Comply with Nonsupport.

Mangum was incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond for the Manufacturing Methamphetamine charge and an $802.66 cash bond for the nonsupport charge.  Gilbert has a first appearance in District Court in Lenoir on March 8, 2010.

Melissa Elizabeth Gilbert, W/F, age 30
2431 Woodridge Court
Lenoir, NC 28645

• One (1) Count – Felonious Manufacture of Methamphetamine

• One (1) Count – Misdemeanor Failure to Appear for Larceny

Gilbert was incarcerated in the Caldwell County Detention Center under a $50,000 secured bond for the Manufacturing Methamphetamine charge and a $500 secured bond for the other charge.  Gilbert has a first appearance in District Court in Lenoir on March 8, 2010.

“Everyone worked together and got the job done.  With these two in jail, that’s one less meth lab we have to worry about”. – Sheriff Alan C. Jones

The Caldwell County Sheriff's Office is always in search of any information involving the use and distribution of illegal controlled substances.  A concerned citizen’s information and assistance will be kept confidential.   If you have any information concerning illegal drug activity in Caldwell County, please contact the:

Caldwell County Sheriff's Office I.C.E. Unit at 828-757-1178.
Lenoir Police Department’s Narcotics Division at 828-757-2145.
Caldwell County Crimestoppers at 828-758-8300.

This site was last updated 03/05/10