Federal authorities have arrested a Chattanooga couple after finding them with 373.4 grams of Ice meth at an apartment in East Brainerd.
Charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance are Sergio Lizaola and Amy Lee Ramos-Collazo. Lizaola is also charged on a firearm count.
Agents said two small children were present along with the couple during a search of Apt. 136 at Building Q of the Evergreen at Hickory Valley Apartments at 1507 Hickory Valley Road.
The building had been under surveillance on Feb. 2 when agents saw the couple arrive with the children in a white Chevrolet Z-71 pickup truck at 6:40 p.m.
The search was started at 7:50 p.m.
The meth was found in the bathroom.
Located in the master bedroom closet was a loaded .38-caliber revolver. Cash was found in the living room couch.
Ms. Ramos-Collazo claimed a white male had just come to the apartment and "the stuff must have been his."
Lizaola admitted traveling to Atlanta earlier that day with his wife to purchase 18 ounces of crystal meth (Ice) for $6,000. He said they met the supplier at a restaurant and conducted the transaction there.
Lizaola said his wife had driven him to Atlanta on one other occasion to obtain meth.
He said, after returning to his apartment, he sold about nine ounces of meth to "Billy", getting a down payment of $1,500. He said that was the cash found in the couch.
Lizaola said the gun belonged to him.
Agents said Lizaola has a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault in Whitfield County, Ga.
Ms. Ramos-Collazo was released on bond, while Lizaola remains in custody.