Three people were arrested and charged Wednesday afternoon with manufacturing methamphetamine after a deputy serving a bank writ of foreclosure on a homeowner in rural west Tift County discovered signs of a lab on the property and inside the residence.

According to Jeff Youngblood, commander of the Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, a Tift County deputy arrived at 1241 WB Parks Road to serve a writ of eviction to Michael Lee Willis, 43. When the deputy arrived, Youngblood said, he noticed several signs of a meth lab outside the house. Youngblood said that once a search warrant was secured, law enforcement agents discovered more evidence that methamphetamine was being manufactured there.

Willis was arrested at the scene and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, forgery and a charge for manufacturing fake Georgia driver’s licenses. Youngblood said items, including numerous rifles and pistols and a computer, were taken into evidence.

“The computer was being used to produce the fake driver’s licenses used to buy the pseudoephedrine needed to manufacture meth,” Youngblood said.

Youngblood said laws now require buyers who purchase certain amounts of antihistamines, decongestants and other medications that contain pseudoephedrine to sign a log and give a positive identification, such as a driver’s license, before they are allowed to purchase the drugs.

Also arrested at the scene were Heather Nicole Bailey, 21, of 106 Greenough Road, Doerun, and Sylenia Lynn Woodall, 44, 1297 CS Powell Road, Omega. Youngblood said that both women were charged with manufacturing methamphetamine. Youngblood said he believed Bailey and Woodall were helping Willis in the operation of the lab.

Youngblood said that some of the MSNTF agents, and drug agents with the GBI who are trained to remove and dispose of dangerous chemicals, were called to the scene to bring the chemicals out of the house for transport to the crime lab for analysis.

“We have to separate the chemicals because some of them are reactive to each other,” Youngblood said.

Agents also monitored the air for breathing dangers, Youngblood said. The residence, accessible by a field road, was secluded and not located in close proximity to other residences.

Youngblood said that Willis was manufacturing his own anhydrous ammonia, another ingredient necessary to manufacture the drug. He said he would describe the operation as fairly sophisticated. He said that the lab was capable of producing multiple ounces at a time “when they would cook” and that the current street value for an ounce of methamphetamine is between $1,200 and $1,300.

Youngblood said law enforcement agencies had already received information leading them to believe methamphetamine was being manufactured at the site and that agencies were working on developing a case when the events unfolded Wednesday.

“We had a good idea already what we would find when we got there,” Youngblood said.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.