A Greenville man was arrested and charged with trafficking in Methamphetamine, in what could possibly be the first case of its kind in Butler County history.

"We received information that a subject had a fruit jar containing Methamphetamine at his residence at 775 Mashville Rd.," said Sheriff Diane Harris. "On Monday, February 19 we responded to the residence of Rex Allen DeShazo, a 31-year-old white male, and asked him for permission to search his residence."

Harris said that her department located a quart-sized Mason jar containing a milky-colored liquid believed to be Methamphetamine, a crudely-manufactured, but highly volatile drug.

"The jar, three-fourths full of liquid, had a layer of white substance that had separated to the top," Harris said. "This white substance is what is removed and sold as Methamphetamine, known as Crystal Meth', with an estimated street value of approximately $100 per gram."

Harris said that drug experts contacted by her officers the jar contained approximately 500 grams of the illicit drug.

"That's $50,000 worth of drugs on the street," Harris said. "This is the first Meth' bust during my administration, and I don't think there has ever been another instance where Meth' was found in the county before."

Harris said that the drug, which was found in a bedroom closet, was transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for analysis.

DeShazo was transported to the Butler County Jail where he is being held on $150,000 bond.

Chief Deputy Kenny Harden said that investigation of this case has led to other arrests in Covington County.

"After DeShazo's arrest, we were able to assist with the apprehension of two suspects in Andalusia, where drugs and the chemicals used to manufacture Meth' were seized," Harden said.

Harden said that unlike other illegal drugs, Meth' is extremely dangerous in any stage of its production and distribution.

"The public needs to be cautioned-we don't need Crystal Meth' in Butler County-the chemicals and mixtures used to make this drug are highly dangerous-officers and civilians have been killed while handling these materials."

Sheriff Harris has asked for public assistance in deterring any further proliferation of this type of drug.

"Any persons having information regarding Methamphetamine are urged to please contact the Butler County Sheriff's Office at (334) 382-6521 or (800) 600-6344.

In other news, the sheriff's office is searching for clues connected to a recent theft of an iron utility trailer, loaded with 48 sheets of plywood.

"The trailer was stolen from property located on New Searcy Road-if anyone knows anything about this, or perhaps saw someone hauling a trailer away from the area loaded with plywood, please call us," said Harden.