MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A tip to CrimeStoppers and surveillance of suspicious traffic at a home in Midtown Memphis led to three meth arrests Monday night.
A complaint to the CrimeStoppers tip line prompted the Memphis Police Organized Crime Unit to set up surveillance of a residence on N Auburndale Street at Madison Avenue on March 19. Officers observed one person arrive at the home and leave a short time later; the suspect was pulled over for a traffic violation and a bag of meth was found on his person. The suspect admitted to buying the drugs at the house on N Auburndale and told officers he had also traded boxes of pseudoephedrine for $40.
Another person was observed stopping by the house and leaving; a similar traffic stop yielded nearly identical results as the prior stop with the suspect possessing a baggie of meth and admitting to exchanging cold medicine for cash.
In separate arrests, 32-year-old Yee Praseuth and 27-year-old Khanthak Bouaphayphengpeachan were both charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver and Promotion of Manufacturing Methamphetamine. They are being held at the Shelby County Jail on $150,000 bond each.
After the suspects gave police statements about buying meth at the Midtown residence, officers obtained a search warrant and found meth-making materials throughout the home. Police found 37-year-old William Shea McAlister in the bedroom and placed him under arrest.
The residence, which is a triplex with two other tenants, had to be quarantined.
McAlister was charged with Initiation of the Methamphetamine Manufacturing Process, Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver and Promotion of Manufacturing Methamphetamine. He is being held without bond at the Shelby County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court on March 21.
