Woman faces felonies for 1,500 grams of meth

Published 10:49 am Thursday, January 12, 2017

Khamda

Khamda

A woman accused of possessing about 3 1/2 pounds of methamphetamine in one the largest methamphetamine busts ever in Austin has been charged with two felony counts.

Phaengdy Khamda, 35, of Austin was charged in Mower County District Court Wednesday with first-degree drug possession for having 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and storing meth in the presence of a child, both felonies.

According to court records and Austin police, officers executed a search warrant at Khamda’s residence on the 600 block of 10th Street Northeast shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9.

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The bust uncovered about 1,545 grams — or about 3 1/2 pounds — of methamphetamine, which Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger has said is one of the largest caches ever found by Austin police.

“It is a very significant amount of meth taken off our streets,” he said.

Police also found methamphetamine pipes, plastic bags, a digital scale and $926 in cash.

Krueger did not have a street value of the meth, but said “it is definitely among the bigger amounts” uncovered by police.

“I can say that I am very happy this is off the street,” he said.

Three children, ages 1, 2 and 3 years, were removed from the residence by Mower County Health and Human Services. Their relationship to the suspect is not clear, Krueger said. Another woman, identified as a grandmother to at least some of the children, was allowed to stay at the residence, Krueger said.

Khamda’s next court appearance is Jan. 23.