Two recent methamphetamine precursor chemical cases began with the discovery of the presence of the chemicals under a trailer and in a car on the interstate.

Investigators received a tip on the first case from a landowner on Sunday that he saw what he believed to be a methamphetamine lab stored under a trailer in a duffle bag.

After the claim was checked out, the investigators were able to prove the items were in fact items commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, said Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Investigator Donnie Saucier.

Further investigation found the owner of the bag to be 21 year-old Gary Hilton Falgoust of 1998 Mississippi Highway 26 West, Poplarville. He was arrested for possession of precursor chemicals at the home where the bag was found, Saucier said.

The next day at 5 in the morning Lt. George Dominguez found what he believed to be chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine on their way into the county.

That morning he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Interstate 59 for a traffic violation. Behind the wheel was Casey Marie Pittman, 30, of 424 S. Twenty-eight Ave., Hattiesburg. During the stop Dominguez saw in the car in plain sight what he thought were items used in the manufacture of the drug, Saucier said.

Narcotics investigators were called to the scene and determined the items he saw were in fact chemicals commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, Saucier said. Investigation into the matter also determined that Pittman was allegedly transporting the chemicals into Pearl River County for the purpose of cooking methamphetamine.

Pittman was issued a citation for the traffic violation and arrested for possession of precursor chemicals.

Saucier said Sheriff’s Department narcotic agents are working 16 to 18 hours a day, sometimes off the clock, to fight drug sale and use in the county.