Cherokee County Narcotics agents have arrested a Gadsden man on drug charges following the discovery of a working methamphetamine lab in Leesburg.

Arrested, according to Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver, was Brent Austin Reaves, 27, who was charged with manufacturing in the first degree and trafficking crystal methamphetamine.

According to Shaver, Centre Police Officer Jeff Bryant received a call Friday, June 4, from a vendor reporting suspicious purchases made the previous day and the vendor alerted Cherokee County Narcotics officers. When agents arrived at a residence on Park Street to question the persons involved, they detected the odor of methamphetamine and located a cooking “meth” lab in plain sight in a pick-up truck at the residence.

Leesburg Police Department Investigator Brian Gilliland was called to assist, Shaver said, and they took the owner of the truck, Reaves, into custody and also seized the vehicle.

This latest arrest and seizure, Shaver said, is another success of the Vendor’s Voluntary Compliance Program, which has been in effect since 2005. He noted it is also an example of police agencies and local businesses working together to fight drug crimes in the area.

All local businesses are encouraged to contact the Cherokee County Narcotics Unit at (256) 927-5646 or any local law enforcement agency any time they suspect persons are purchasing items that may be used to manufacture methamphetamine.