What started as a shoplifting case ended in a drug bust two weeks later.

A police photo shows meth and paraphernalia used to make meth, all seized in a recent drug bust.

Billy Crews, 49, of Saline County was arrested on numerous drug-related charges after Benton police learned that the shoplifting suspects were taking items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Benton police investigated a reported shoplifting incident at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on March 7 and gained information on the suspects’ vechicle. Later that day, when police stopped the vehicle, they noticed items inside the vehicle consistent with the manufacture of meth, according to a police report.
Police reported that the suspects in the vehicle identified Crews as the alleged “meth cook.” Police said they used the information to launch a two-week investigation into a residence at 952 Crews Road.
Last Friday, police and narcotics officers raided the residence and reported finding a meth lab. Authorities said they also found about 2.6 ounces of a crystal white substance believed to be meth, which has a street value of about $7,500.
Police said numerous chemicals were found in the kitchen, including pool cleaner, ether, Coleman fuel, empty blister packs of cold medicine and a bottle containing iodine crystals.
Crews was arrested later that day. He is charged with manufacturing meth, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture meth, possession of meth with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug premise, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance (marijuana).
The shoplifting suspects are Scott Bennett, 30, of Benton and Christopher Brumley, 35, and Laura Roberts, 20, both of Haskell.
Bennett is charged with shoplifting. Brumley is charged with possession of psuedoephedrine with intent to manufacture, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, possession of marijuana and possession of a weapon. Roberts is charged with possession of psuedoephedrine with intent to manufacture and possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture.
Benton police Sgt. Kevin Russell said much of the meth trade is coming from Mexico.
“Home-grown meth labs have declined,” Russell said, “but ... you still see them occasionally.”