Two large sources of the methamphetamine supply in Clinton County were shut down with the arrests of two Midland men in separate drug busts Friday morning by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. Also arrested were two other Clinton County residents and a resident from Highland County.

Search warrants were served simultaneously at the residence of Karl G. Smith, 43, of North Broadway Street, Midland, and Travis M. Commins, 35, of Cuba Pike, Midland.

“Karl Smith and Travis Commins both have been large sources of methamphetamine in the Midland and Clinton County area for close to 10 years,” said Sgt. Doug Eastes, a detective with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office. “They’ve been busted a couple of times and have served prison time. Travis has only been out of prison six to eight months, and Karl has been out about a year to 1 1/2 years,” he said.

Eastes said Smith was “discovered in close proximity of a methamphetamine lab. Also, Mr. Smith was found in possession of methamphetamine. A search of his property resulted in the location of more chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, a firearm and more methamphetamine finished product.”

He continued, “Smith has a prior conviction for aggravated possession of dangerous drugs, a felony three, where he was found in possession of a large amount of methamphetamine a couple years back,” Eastes said.

Also arrested at Smith’s residence were Danny A. Calloway, 43, of Woodville Road, Blanchester, and Highland County resident Alicia L. Knisley, 26, of Lynchburg.

Calloway was initially charged with possession of methamphetamine, a fifth-degree felony.

Knisley also was in possession of methamphetamine, Eastes said. “Miss Knisley was on parole through Highland County on meth related charges,” he said.

Knisley is being held in the Highland County Jail for parole violation, according to Eastes.

“A search of the Commins property resulted in various chemicals and equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine being found on the property. Also, finished product was found inside the residence,” Eastes said.

Commins’ girlfriend, Corie J. Williams, 20, of West Main Street, Clarksville, was arrested at his residence. Eastes said Williams was on probation through the Clinton County Common Pleas Court and was arrested for probation violation.

Bond was set at $52,500 for Smith, Commins is being held on $27,500 bond and Calloway was held on $2,500 bond. Williams is being held without bond.

Eastes said numerous additional charges are pending the results from the Miami Valley Crime Lab analysis.

The special response team from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office served the search warrant at the Commins residence. Clinton County deputies served the warrant at Smith’s residence, with assistance provided by the Blanchester Police Department.

“I want to thank the Highland County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff (Ron) Ward for coming down and helping us,” Eastes said. “With such a big operation as we had Friday with two separate meth labs on two different sites in one area, we had to have extra assistance from them.”

Highland County deputies also assisted in the clean-up of hazardous waste and made preparations for the Drug Enforcement Administration to send their clean-up crew to remove the hazardous waste.

Eastes said road patrol deputies have been “stepping up activity” in the Midland area. “Information we’ve been receiving was the direct result of their hard work and information from the citizens of Midland,” he said.

“I want to thank the residents of Midland for their patience,” said Clinton County Sheriff Ralph D. Fizer Jr. “When we hit these guys, we want to have good charges so we can send them back to prison. All the deputies and detectives did a good job and we will continue the drug busts.”

Eastes added, “The job’s not done yet, but we definitely put a big dent in it.”