Meth Cook Busted in Temple Terrace

A man who police say was manufacturing methamphetamine was arrested Dec. 21 on multiple charges.

Jimmie R. Lewis, 27, of 310 Fern Cliff Ave. in Temple Terrace, was found to be in possession of hazardous chemicals and equipment used to produce methamphetamine, according to a news release from the .

Members of the department’s Special Enforcement Unit stopped Lewis and another man, Zachary L. Harrison, 26, of 215 W. Highland St. in Lakeland, in traffic shortly after 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21 in the area of Harney Road and U.S. Highway 301, the release states.

During the stop, officers found that both men had illegal drugs and arrested them, the release states. Further investigation led officers to Lewis’ home where officers discovered a strong chemical odor coming from a small utility room near the west end of the residence. That’s where they found the chemicals and equipment used to cook meth.

Specially trained members of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist with the recovery and removal of the hazardous materials, the release states.

Lewis was charged with possession of cocaine, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of listed chemicals and possession of marijuana. He is being held by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on $12,000 bond, according to arrest records.

Harrison was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of oxycodone without prescription, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on $5,000 bond Dec. 22, according to arrest records.

Lewis’ residence is a rental property, said Temple Terrace Police Community Service Officer Tracy Mishler.

Law enforcement does not clean up the hazardous materials of drug labs or grow houses, Mishler said. Instead, the homeowner is responsible for paying a professional, private contractor to clean up.

“So if you are renting property, please be aware of what can occur if your renters turn out to be making drugs on your property,” he said in an email to the community.