A man believed to be tied to a Forrest County rape was arrested last week in a meth lab bust in the Sunrise community by an area drug unit.

Agents with The 12^th Judicial District Narcotics Enforcement Team, or 12 NET, had received information regarding the possibility of a clandestine drug laboratory being operated on the property by Timothy Allen Smith. It was determined Smith was on Federal and State probation for previous drug and weapons charges.  Federal and State Probation were notified and a home visit was conducted.

During the course of the home visit, weapons as well as an active clandestine lab were found on the property.  At this time, a search warrant was obtained by 12 NET.  The Drug Enforcement Agency as well as Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics activated their Environmental Response Teams to assist in the proper clean up and disposal of the site.

Smith was transported from the scene to Forrest County Regional Jail and booked for Manufacture/Possession of Precursors, Possession of Controlled Substance while in possession of a firearm, and Possession of a weapon by a convicted Felon. Federal Probation and the Mississippi Department of Corrections also charged Smith with violating his parole/probation and a revocation hearing is being scheduled.  Smith was also being investigated in a rape case which occurred in Forrest County and an active warrant on Smith for rape was served.  Additional charges are may be pending.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the local, state, and federal agencies who helped with this case,” said Sheriff Charlie Sims. “Without this type of teamwork between our agencies, complex cases like this would be much harder.”

Agencies involved were 12 NET, U.S. Probation, MDOC, MBN, the DEA, and the ATF,  FCSO, HPD, PPD, PCSO, and USM.