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Late-night meth raid nets 5 arrests
BAINBRIDGE -- An early-morning Thursday search of a rural Bainbridge residence netted five arrests on methamphetamine and other drug charges.
The Putnam County Sheriff's Department received information that methamphetamine was being manufactured at 7126 East CR 800, the residence of Otis and Brenda Sams, and obtained a search warrant. The sheriff's department emergency response team (ERT) executed a raid on the property just after midnight Thursday.
The ERT arrested and maintained four males and one female, Otis Sams, 56, Bainbridge; Brenda Sams, 54, Bainbridge; Larry Claycomb, 53, Russellville; Daniel Claycomb, 31, Roachdale; and Elmer Burnett, 50, Fillmore.
Upon searching the property, they found 15-20 grams of methamphetamine, the remnants of a meth lab and various amounts of precursors to the drug, including anhydrous ammonia. The Indiana State Police meth lab team assisted the sheriff's department in its investigation.
In the raid they also seized several firearms, just under 30 grams of marijuana and 50-100 prescription pills.
Chief Deputy Doug Nally praised the ERT and Deputy Philip Troyer, the lead officer on the investigation, for their professionalism.
"Our ERT guys did a really good job of putting a plan together and getting in there," Nally said. "Everything went smooth. Nobody was injured."
He went on to say the investigation continues, as officers follow leads on others who may be involved.
"It is an ongoing investigation. We are going to continue to follow the leads for all other parties involved," Nally said. "I think there are going to be other parties involved. We've been learning about activity up there for a while and we just now got enough information for a warrant."
Otis and Brenda Sams were arrested on charges of sale of methamphetamine, possession of precursors, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance.
Larry and Daniel Claycomb and Elmer Burnett were charged with sale of methamphetamine, possession of precursors, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance.
