The business, Pat's New and Used Furniture located at the corner of Creek Street and Wheeler Avenue, was closed Monday after a search of the business located uncovered chemicals and equipment associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Three Sallisaw residents were arrested on various drug charges as a result of a joint investigation by the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department and the Sallisaw Police Department.
Officers served three search warrants Monday at a home six miles north of Sallisaw on Highway 17 and at the local business, according to Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot.
Officers served the first search warrant at the home. Officers found a safe containing numerous plastic bags of a green leafy substance appearing to be marijuana and an undisclosed amount of money. Officers also found a white powder substance appearing to be methamphetamine and several firearms during the search of the home.
From information gathered from the investigation and the search of the home, officers obtained a second search warrant for stolen property found at the home. Several items that were reported stolen were recovered as a result of the second warrant.
Officers said finding stolen property during a drug investigation is common because people who use drugs often steal items and trade those stolen items for drugs.
As the investigation continued, police obtained a third search warrant for the Sallisaw business. During the search of the business, officers found chemicals and equipment commonly used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Philpot said because there were different areas of investigation and multiple locations involved in the investigation, specialized teams from participating agencies worked late into the night processing evidence from each search warrant.
Robert Lee Mitchell, 63, was booked into the Sequoyah County Jail in Sallisaw on charges of manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance within 2,000 feet of a school, manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $68,000.
Patricia Ann Mitchell, 57, was booked into the county jail on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Her bond was set at $7,500.
Pamela Mitchell, 37, was booked into the county jail on charges of giving false information to a police officer, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, knowingly concealing stolen property, and uttering a forged instrument, all after seven former felony convictions. She also had an active warrant for her arrest in Arkansas, according to jail records. She is currently being held in the county jail without bond.
