HOUGHTON COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) has arrested a 35-year-old Houghton County man for charges relating to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, illegal possession of ephedrine/pseudoephedrine, and maintaining a drug house/vehicle.
Detectives determined the suspect and other conspirators had been purchasing components used to manufacture methamphetamine in a process known by law enforcement as “one pot” or “shake and bake” meth labs. This method of manufacturing meth consists of a chemical reaction when mixing specific household chemicals with pseudoephedrine. Officials say this method is extremely dangerous, as it can release harmful gases or cause a violent explosion if not handled properly.
On April 6, UPSET detectives identified the suspect as he left a local store, where he had just purchased precursor ingredients used in manufacturing meth. Officers from the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office and Houghton City Police Department arrested him outside of his vehicle. UPSET detectives, who are trained to dismantle clandestine labs, conducted a search of his vehicle. They seized a number of components necessary to manufacture meth, as well as evidence indicating the suspect had manufactured meth on multiple occasions in the previous weeks.
The suspect was lodged at the Houghton County Jail. Because the investigation is ongoing, no further information has been released at this time.
Detectives from UPSET were assisted by the Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office, the Houghton County Sheriff’s Office, the Houghton City Police Department, the Hancock City Police Department, the Houghton and Hancock City Fire Departments, and Superior Service Towing.
