A jury in Cherokee County, Ga., has found a convenience store owner guilty of supplying precursor chemicals that could be used to make methamphetamine, according to newspapers and the district attorney in that area.
Patricia Ramsey Jenkins, 59, of Collinsville, was found guilty on 10 felony counts of supplying chemicals with the knowledge that they would be used in the unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine.
Jenkins owned and operated Pat’s Handimart, a small store in on Alabama Highway 68.
Newspaper reports said the Cherokee County Narcotics Unit began an investigation into Jenkins’ activities after receiving several tips that she was selling illegal amounts of precursor chemicals in her store.
Using a sting operation, the Narcotics Unit bought precursor chemicals from Jenkins on five occasions. Jenkins was aware the products were going to be used in a meth lab, and at one point she was caught on a hidden camera coaching the undercover buyers on methods to cook meth.
Over the course of six weeks in late 2006 and early 2007, Jenkins sold 996 ephedrine pills to the same person. That many pills, forensics experts said, could cook up at least 15.9 grams of meth.
The judge set Jenkins’ sentencing date for Nov. 25. She faces a sentence of 10 years to 99 years or life and a fine of up to $60,000 in each case.
