Crime & Safety

Surveillance Helps Drug Task Force Net Meth Charges

Three St. Charles residents were charged with making methamphetamine.

A surveillance mission resulted in drug charges against three residents.

Andy Franklin, 48, and Catherine Eberhardt, 52, both of the first block of Pam Avenue, both were charged Tuesday with two counts of manufacturing meth. David Branson, 52, of the first block of Overbrook Drive, was charged Wednesday with possession of chemicals with intent to make meth, meth possession and marijuana possession.

Detectives said they saw Branson meet with Franklin Monday in the 2800 block of Elm Street. A patrol car later pulled Franklin’s car over and discovered he had pseudoephedrine and several other ingredients used to make meth, according to a task force report.

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When drug task force members searched Franklin and Eberhardt’s residence, they found several individually packaged bags of meth, paraphernalia with residue that field tested positive for meth and $1,100 in cash.

According to the report, Eberhardt told detectives she helped Franklin make meth by buying pseudoephedrine and gathering other ingredients.

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Detectives searched Branson’s home and found a vial of meth and a baggie with marijuana. Branson said he supplied Franklin with tools and other items for which he asked, detectives said in the report.

Branson made purchased pseudoephedrine 43 times, detectives said. Another man told detectives that Branson drove him to a pharmacy to buy pseudoephedrine for him, and paid him $25 per box for the meth ingredient.

Bond was set at $75,000 each for Franklin, Eberhardt and Branson.

For more crime information on St. Charles Patch, see the following articles:


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