Staff Writer     12/06/2001

Sheriff's department officials discovered a 1,000 gallon tank containing anhydrous ammonia at 448 Georgia Ridge Road near Joy. This discovery led to the arrest of Tynisa Maynard. Maynard was found to be in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and a gun stolen from someone in White County.

The drugs and paraphernalia found in the home had a value of less than $500.

"The Central Arkansas Drug Task Force, Clayton Edwards and other detectives and patrol officers from the Sheriff's department executed a search warrant and searched the home," Sheriff Pat Garrett said.

Garrett said there were signs of drugs being destroyed in the home prior to the department's arrival. "Bags were found that had been dumped," he said.

Garrett and Clayton Edwards of the Sheriff's department criminal investigation division said that the tank was discovered after an investigation because Maynard and a backhoe operator were trying to dig it up. The department was alerted to the area by an unidentified neighbor.

Garrett said that a deputy sent to the area drove just past the Maynard residence into a low area and noticed the smell of the anhydrous ammonia. Maynard had been burning trash in the area to help mask the odor, according to Garrett.

"They (Maynard and the backhoe operator) were trying to take it out of the ground (when the tank began to leak). We don't know what their plans were after that," Edwards said.

Garrett said the residence had been home to numerous narcotics investigations. "We've made drug arrests and found clandestine meth labs there," he said.

Anhydrous ammonia is used in one method of methamphetamine manufacture, according to Garrett.

Edwards estimated that the anhydrous ammonia found in the tank would be worth $140,000 on the black market.

To remove the tank, Garrett said a hazardous materials team would come out of Little Rock. This team will also dispose of the tank.

Until that team arrived the Searcy Fire Department hazardous materials team stood by the location. The Searcy Fire Department hazardous materials team was to stay on the scene until the state unit arrived.

In addition to the Sheriff's department and the Searcy Fire Department, the Center Hill and Joy Volunteer fire departments were also on the scene. "I am very proud of all the agencies who assisted," Garrett said. "I am thankful for their assistance. They have been very professional."

Garrett said that people were being kept away from the tank because the ammonia could blister the lungs.

He held up a green towel, saying that this was his hazardous materials mask. He also pointed out a deputy wearing only a short sleeve shirt and gloves on the cool December night, saying that budget cuts not only effected the clothing of the department personnel, but would effect the department's ability to make drug busts such as this one.

Garrett said because the temperatures had cooled, the anhydrous ammonia was staying lower to the ground, making it safer to be closer to the leaking tank.