Produce stand busted in Pinson

Produce stand busted in Pinson

PINSON, AL (WBRC) - A produce stand in Pinson has been busted for what authorities say was a front to manufacture methamphetamine and sell stolen goods.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday morning it raided "The Pinson Produce Mart" on Center Point Parkway in Pinson after a week-long undercover investigation. Deputies arrested James Nale, Jr., at the scene for manufacturing and dealing meth from the store. Nale is the son of the owners.

Investigators said Nale, who lived at the store, was making meth in a back room, using the "shake and bake" method to manufacture about a gram per week, then burning the leftovers behind the store near Turkey Creek. Deputies were concerned about possible contamination in the creek and the proxmity of the meth lab to two nearby schools and shopping centers.

Deputies said they are also investigating lots of items they believe Nale stole and traded for drugs, such as lawnmowers and a laptop computer.

After the arrest, the Jefferson County Health Department condemned all of the produce at the store, forcing the owners to destroy it.  Authorities ask if you recently purchased produce or any other items from this store to call the Jefferson County Health Department to find out how to properly dispose of it.

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