A missing person investigation that began in McMinn County led Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detectives to the discovery of a body and the arrest of a Reliance couple on Federal drug charges. Polk County Sheriff Bill Davis said they were unable to confirm the cause of death until autopsy results were completed. Wilfred West Wright and his wife, Amanda K. Wright are currently being held by federal authorities facing charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of chemicals to manufacture methamphetamine.

On February 5th, Detectives Josh Stroud and Brian Fields went to the Wright residence in reference to a missing person. According to the report filed by Det. Jason Waters, he and Brian Epperson were called in after Wright said he had a shake-and-bake method meth lab and gave consent to search the residence and his vehicle. The report said he told officers he swallowed approximately 5 grams of meth when he saw Fields and Stroud approaching.

During and interview with Wright on the scene, the report said, Wright allegedly said he had been manufacturing meth since April 2012 and would cook 7 days a week, making 30 grams per cook. Wright also stated he would pay $50 to people to buy pseudoephedrine for him, the report said.

Upon searching Wright’s vehicle, Det. Waters found an active meth lab and a recipe book detailing various methods for manufacturing methamphetamine, the report alleged. Various other materials used in the manufacture of meth were also allegendy found in and around the residence.

According to the criminal complaint filed in US District Court, the majority of items were disposed of by the Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force after examination, which is standard practice.

According to the federal court filing, Amanda Wright informed officers she and her husband had been manufacturing meth since April, 2012. She allegedly reported she had purchase pseudoephedrine for her husband to use to cook at the residence.

Task Force Officer Craig Frost, who filed the District Court charges, said he reviewed pseudoephedrine purchase logs for the Wrights. According to Frost’s filing, the couple had purchased over 100 grams of pseudoephedrine, which was more than sufficient to manufacture the amounts of meth Wright claimed to have been making in his interview with Polk detectives.

Questioning of the Wrights by Detectives Fields and Stroud also led to information as to the possible location of the missing McMinn County woman, Faith Nicole Corum, who was last seen in the company of the Wrights. According to Sheriff Davis, the body was found in the Greasy Creek area of Polk County at a “dump site” off the roadside down a cliff. Davis said they were still awaiting positive ID and autopsy results of the body. TBI is assisting in the investigation.

Both suspects are being held without bond and have been appointed attorneys. Arraignment will be held February 27th at the federal courthouse in Chattanooga.