Father And Son Arrested On Drug Charges

Baldwin County Father Investigators in Baldwin County bust Elberta father and son on crystal meth charges

by Pat Peterson

Published: Fri, July 24, 2009 - 3:55 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, July 24, 2009 - 7:33 pm CST

The skull and cross-bone warning labels on these bottles of drain cleaner should have told Terry Merchant and his son Derek they were playing with "fire." Investigators say the men mixed the drain cleaner with other dangerous chemicals inside their Elberta home to make crystal meth.

"These guys were mixing it up in their sink," says Capt. Steve Arthur with the Baldwin Co. Sheriff's Office. "As you can see the different chemicals the Coleman fuel, the drain cleaner, the battery acid, it's very volatile and very dangerous."

Investigators arrested the Merchants on several drug charges. Officers also confiscated 25 marijuana plants they believe the men were growing nearby.
Neighbors living near the Merchants say they're fed up with the problems down the road.

"It's one thing if they were selling a little bit of weed," says Ron Dekok. "Okay, I'll look the other way, but not meth. It's dangerous, we all know it's dangerous, it destroys people's lives."

Since 2002, Derek Merchant has been arrested at least 11 times. His father, Terry, was booked in 2002 on DUI charges.

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southfan1981 Says:

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 6:35 am

You know, it’s not like these folks have QUALITY CONTROL in mind? Surely, they could get a nice legal pill that is cheap and makes them feel the same way? Maybe some Ripple?

For the family: Check out NA or AL Anon. You aren’t responsible, you didnt cause it and you can’t cure it. You can let them suffer the consequences of their behavior. Perhaps, it will hurt enough they will want recovery?

YouAreNotVerySmart Says:

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 4:40 am

Bamachick1582—What are you talking about being nosy?

How was anyone on here being nosy? We didn’t find out your brother and father were smoking meth by peeking over your fence, it was broadcasted all over the evening news and the internet….

If this is real hard for you, and you don’t want to read the comments people are making—don’t go looking for them…. If you don’t want to read the comments, why did you go googling for the news articles to read the comments? You wanted to read what people were saying, thats normal…

Anyway you are not to smart, but then again, neither is the rest of your family. (I know that was a low blow, life ain’t fair, ask your dad)

ickthus Says:

Sat, Jul 25, 2009 at 10:23 pm

bamachick, it is what it is. did you know that there is a group that helps people who’s loved ones are drunks or addicts. it is called alanon. i would look into it fast.you’ll just get your head handed to you crying about it here. good luck

bamachick1582 Says:

Sat, Jul 25, 2009 at 9:44 pm

I understand that u ppl are nosy and dont have other stuff to do but that is my dad and my older brother. i know wat they did is not ok. but this is hard enuff for me to get thru without ppl saying mean things that are totally unecessary. its all funny until its ur life that is being ruined because the ppl u love are addicted.

engtchr Says:

Sat, Jul 25, 2009 at 6:06 pm

Guess they were really trying to live up to their family name…

engtchr Says:

Sat, Jul 25, 2009 at 6:03 pm

I love the honesty of the guy being interviewed!

Bikermike Says:

Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 10:02 pm

I hear Draino taste better with some starting fluid and a little rat poison,boy these guys are stupid.

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 6:53 pm

Beats me….. Just the other night I was having this talk with one of my sons, while we were eating Drano and drinking a little kerosene. (being sarcastic)

I don’t know what has gone so very wrong with this world. Many of these things were unheard of a few years ago. Now, parents kill their kids, parents are killed by their kids and those that are left behind smoke Drano to get high. Wow! This world is screwed…..

Bikermike Says:

Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 6:45 pm

just proves that the fruit don’t fall far from the tree,what ever happened to dad taking junior hunting or teaching him how to fish. the world is going to haties in a hurry

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 5:28 pm

Not exactly Leave it to Beaver, is it? *geez*

Who the heck was the first to try putting all that poison in their bodies? How do people even come up with these ideas?