PENDLETON – Information provided by a fellow law enforcement officer led the Northampton County Sheriff’s Department to investigate a possible meth lab near here.

Despite not finding a meth manufacturing operation, three individuals were arrested at a Pineridge Lane residence, located off Stanley Barnes Road, north of Murfreesboro just across the county line.

Chuck Hasty, Captain of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division, said the home was searched on Sept. 19 and evidence collected. After that evidence was tested, Hasty said the following individuals, all with Pendleton addresses, were arrested on Sept. 30:

Rachel Dawn O’Dell Bisbing, age 43: possession of Schedule II (Meth) controlled substance; possession of Schedule IV, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was given a $3,000 bond and an Oct. 2 court date.

Lawrence James Grant, age 43: possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He has a $1,000 bond and a Nov. 6 court date.

Cody Grant Beaumont, age 21: possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed under a $500 bond will make his first court appearance on Nov. 6.

Earlier in September, Hasty said he was given information by Captain Will Liverman of the Hertford County Sheriff’s Office about the Grant residence.

“The information that was given was that the residents were possibly making meth in the residence,” Hasty said.

Hasty began his investigation into the matter and was able to apply for and was granted a search warrant for the residence. He contacted the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to assist in the execution of the search warrant because of the possibility of the meth production inside the residence.

On Sept. 19, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, NC SBI and Probation & Parole officers went to the residence to serve the warrant. During the search officers found drugs, paraphernalia and guns inside the residence.

When asked by the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald if there was any evidence in the house, other than the Meth found in possession of Bisbing, that would lead lawmen to the conclusion that meth had been manufactured at one time within the residence, Hasty responded, “No, not at this time.”

Typically, law enforcement agencies conducting a search for a meth lab will wear protective clothing upon entering a dwelling. Hasty said that was not needed in this case due to the fact that he performed what he termed as a “knock-and-search.”

“I had the (search) warrant and went to that residence,” he stated. “That initial search did not produce any evidence that meth-making material was present. There were no pre-cursors present that we typically look for in meth manufacturing cases.”

When asked if it could be determined if any children currently or previously resided at the residence,” Hasty said, “No.”

Northampton Sheriff Jack Smith said he was thankful for the information supplied by a law enforcement official in another county.

“When we share information between agencies, we can combat the illegal drug trade and use in our county.  I thank Captain Will Liverman of Hertford County for sharing the information that he received to help us in this matter,” Smith said.