Former OBITUARY Guitarist Arrested For Methamphetamine Production, Possession

May 8, 2013

According to Tri-County Sun Times, former OBITUARY, SIX FEET UNDER and MASSACRE guitarist Allen West was arrested at the end of March in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida for methamphetamine production and possession.

After the musician called 911 to report that two males broke into his house, "[responding] deputies met with the property owner Allen West in a wooded area next to the residence," the web site reports. "Allen West stated that two male subjects forcibly entered his house by kicking in the front door at which time he fled out the rear and hid in the woods.

"West requested the deputies search his residence for possible subjects. During the search deputies noticed a strong acidic odor emitting from the master bedroom. Deputies then discovered in the master bedroom and bathroom plastic soda bottles with tubing protruding from them. The bottles also had a wet white pasty substance in the bottles and on the bathroom and bedroom counters. These items are commonly used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine."

West's residence was subsequently searched by the Special Investigations Squad, which found "ammonium nitrate, sodium hydroxide (a.k.a. 'Drano'),a corrosive acid, lithium strips and other items commonly used to produce methamphetamine." The lab was dismantled and West was subsequently held on a $40,000 bond.

West, 45, is currently incarcerated at the Sumter County Jail in Bushnell, Florida.

In January 2008, West was released from the Gainesville Correctional Institution in Gainesville, Florida after serving eight months for driving under the influence (DUI).

West has had problems with alcohol abuse over the years and even quit OBITUARY for a time in August 2005 because he was unable to remain sober enough to play shows. OBITUARY originally hoped West would sober up enough to work on the band's "Xecutioner's Return" CD, but the guitarist couldn't pull it off, and on May 16, 2007 he was arrested and imprisoned after his fifth DUI offense.

Below: Allen West in a March 2013 police booking photo

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