Pickett County deputies James Hammock, Rodney Insco, and Steve Wilber recently responded to a complaint of drug activity at a residence located in the Taylor’s Crossroads community. Upon arrival the officers spoke with the residents and advised them of the complaint. While speaking to with the residents, consent was given for officers to come into the residence. While inside the residence officers noticed a backpack with items lying around it that caught their attention. After further inspection it was concluded that the officers had located a meth lab.

One suspect who was in the room was taken into custody at that time. During a search of the residence officers were alerted that there was another individual hiding inside the residence. Officers were able to locate the second suspect hiding inside a wall inside the bedroom of the residence. The second suspect was immediately apprehended and taken into custody at that time.

While checking the residence for other items associated with the meth lab, officers came across a container that had approximately 18 hand grenades inside of it. The officers immediately took emergency precautions and contacted the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations team to check the devices. Agents with the Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations team responded to the residence and checked and secured the explosives. The explosives were then taken to a safe location and were destroyed.

The investigation is still ongoing and further charges are pending. The names of those arrested were not initially released by law enforcement.