A Bold Meth Lab Bust
On April 27, 2014, at approximately 3:00 A.M., Kingsport Police patrol officers encountered a gold Buick Century parked at Zoomerz gas station, 2306 Sullivan Gardens Parkway, Kingsport, Tennessee. Inside were Brandy R. Landwerth, 36, and Chad W. Horton, 39, who were arrested after officers discovered a methamphetamine manufacturing operation in the backseat floorboard. The vehicle contained chemicals, equipment, and two active “one-pot” meth labs, highlighting the audacity—and danger—of producing this drug in a public space.
During the stop, Horton initially identified himself as “Dustin Horton,” his brother’s name, in an attempt to mislead officers. A wallet search revealed his true identity via his Tennessee Driver’s License, and further inquiry uncovered an outstanding Sullivan County warrant for Violation of Probation. Both Horton and Landwerth were charged with Initiation of a Process Intended to Result in the Manufacture of Methamphetamine, Promotion of Methamphetamine Manufacture, and Possession of Unlawful Drug Paraphernalia. Horton faced additional charges of Identity Theft and arrest on the warrant. K.P.D. Vice Detectives processed the evidence, underscoring the severity of the find.
Methamphetamine’s Grip on East Tennessee
This arrest reflects a broader methamphetamine problem plaguing East Tennessee in the early 2010s. By 2014, the region had become a hotspot for meth production and use, driven by its rural geography—offering secluded spots for labs—and economic struggles that fueled addiction. The “one-pot” or “shake-and-bake” method, as found in Horton and Landwerth’s car, had surged in popularity due to its simplicity: combining pseudoephedrine (from cold medicines), household chemicals, and a single container to produce small batches. While less complex than traditional labs, it remained highly volatile, posing risks of explosions and toxic exposure, as evidenced by the need to decontaminate pets and individuals in similar cases.
In Sullivan County, where Kingsport sits, meth-related arrests were rampant. Tennessee led the nation in meth lab seizures in 2013, with over 1,600 incidents statewide, many in the east. The Tennessee Meth Task Force, formed in 2004, had pushed for tighter pseudoephedrine sales restrictions by 2014, yet “smurfing”—where individuals buy small amounts of the precursor to avoid detection—kept the drug flowing. Kingsport Police reported numerous busts that year, from large-scale conspiracies (like the Mims-Hirst case) to small operations like this one, illustrating meth’s pervasive reach across socioeconomic lines.
The social toll was stark: addiction strained families, child welfare services grappled with exposure cases, and violent crime often tied back to the drug trade. Horton and Landwerth’s public meth lab, though small, endangered not just themselves but anyone nearby, reflecting the reckless desperation meth fostered in East Tennessee communities.
Source: Kingsport Police Department, April 28, 2014.
