A Thanksgiving traffic stop lead to the arrest of two men on drug charges in Knox County. The sheriff's office says around 9:45 p.m., Thursday, November 22, 2012, Knox County Sheriff's Deputies pulled over a vehicle for a traffic violation.
According to the report, the driver and passenger were identified and it was discovered there was an arrest warrant issued for the passenger. The passenger was arrested.
During the investigation, the deputy says he detected an odor associated with meth manufacturing. He also says he observed a tank inside the vehicle with a blue valve, a color associated with the transport of anhydrous ammonia, one of the primary ingredients of meth manufacturing.
The deputy also observed a second container that contained a white residue in the bed of the vehicle.
The Illinois State Police Meth Response Unit was called and evidence was collected on their arrival.
Arrested were 35-year-old Craig L. Fox of Wataga, Ill., and 52-year-old Kevin J. Smith of Abingdon, Ill.
Fox was arrested and charged with criminal damage to government property (roadway), meth manufacturing material, meth participation in production 100-400 grams, anhydrous ammonia possession, and anhydrous ammonia transportation.
Smith was arrested and charged with meth manufacturing material, meth participation in production 100-400 grams, anhydrous ammonia possession, anhydrous ammonia transportation and a Mercer County warrant.
