Had 28+ grams of meth oil at home

A local man is being charged with drug trafficking and manufacturing after a traffic stop netted multiple items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and agents found a large sum of the drug at his home.

On Friday, Opp Police Department Officer Shawn Bentley stopped a vehicle on Main Street for a traffic violation after the department was notified by a concerned citizen.

“During the stop, Officer Bentley located items used in the methamphetamine manufacturing process to include pseudoephedrine, lighter fluid, lye, distilled water and ammonium nitrate,” Drug Task Force Agent Greg Jackson said. “The driver and sole occupant, Travis Clayton, told Drug Task Force Agents who had arrived to assist that his intentions were to sell the items to a guy who manufactures meth.”

He was arrested and taken to the OPD, where he admitted to DTF agents that he had additional items at his home.

Jackson said agents went to Clayton’s home and located more than 28 grams of methamphetamine oil, smoking devices and other items.

He is being charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, felony drug paraphernalia and drug trafficking and placed in the Covington County Jail under a $500,000 bond.

“This lab was taken off the road by the excellent police work of Officer Shawn Bentley of the Opp Police Department,” Jackson said. “He along with other patrol officers are valued assets to the Drug Task Force.”