BAINBRIDGE — A husband and wife are busted for manufacturing methamphetamine after Decatur County Sheriff’s deputies say they caught the couple in the act.

Investigators say the married couple has been on their radar for three months now, thanks to pharmacies speaking out.

Wednesday night, Chris and Amanda Smith were busted red-handed.

Investigators say the meth lab was inside of the Smith’s SUV. It was parked in the yard of a Slough Loop Road home Wednesday night. The back hatch and one of the doors were open.

Decatur County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Williams said, “There was actually what’s considered a ‘shake and bake’ meth lab, which was still in the first stage of production. So, we backed out of there and called for somebody else to come process it.”

Investigators say Amanda tried to get rid of evidence by throwing some of the already cooked dope over a fence. They say not only did they see her do it, the drug didn’t make it over the fence.

“We pretty much could see some salt and some liquid fire, which is also associated with manufacturing meth,” said Investigator Williams.

Williams adds that authorities have gotten several tips about the Smiths over the past three months. Area pharmacists reported the couple buying what authorities consider irregular amounts of pseudoephedrine pills.

They were also identified on camera stealing camp fuel from Walmart, which authorities say is also common in making meth.

Decatur County resident Ruby Walker said, “They needed to call them. All of these young people are getting on it. It’s just a shame. All of them are going to jail.”

There was a third person at the scene who was arrested but deputies say that person was not involved in the meth operation.

Investigator Williams says it was the local businesses speaking out that helped them make the arrest.

WCTV