Two Meth Lab Busts Yesterday in Wilkes

Arrests made in two meth lab busts yesterday.  According to the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, one lab was found Thursday morning following a tip.  The lab was in a camper behind a residence on Parsons Road.  Detective Jennings and SBI Agent Carsons found the lab and made the arrest.  Vincent Ricci, age 51, was arrested and charged with manufacture of meth, maintaining a dwelling for a controlled substance, and possession of meth pre-cursors.  The SBI did the cleanup of meth at the camper.  Then Thursday afternoon, Officer Whitley ran the tag on a car he was following and determined it was a tag registered to another vehicle.  Whitley conducted a traffic stop.  There were 4 people in the vehicle.  While speaking with the driver, the Officer saw a passenger try to hide something under the seat.  A search of the vehicle found a small shake and bake meth container.  The four people in the car, Michael Ashley of Roaring River, Jeffery Walker of Wilkesboro, Molly Wyatt of Wilkesboro, and Julie Absher of Millers Creek were all arrested and charged with manufacture  and possession of meth.  Mr. Ashley was already awaiting trial for selling meth last year.  Deputies seized 3 grams of meth from the car.  Detectives Jennings and Scott, who are certified to handle and over see cleanup, provided the cleanup of meth in the vehicle.  All those arrested in both meth lab busts were taken to the Wilkes County Jail.