Police: Man cooked suspected meth in pop bottles
Police continue to investigate a 36-year-old Ypsilanti Township man they think was cooking methamphetamine in pop bottles on May 30.
At that time, the man was arrested on drunken driving warrants. He has not yet been charged with anything drug-related, according to police.
Deputies were dispatched to the man’s mobile home on the 9000 block of Geraldine Street in the township last week after receiving complaints of methamphetamine smoke.
“One of the residents called to report a suspected drug house,” said Sgt. Geoff Fox of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office.
When a deputy came out to investigate, the 36-year-old refused to let him in the mobile home. However, there was a video camera posted outside the residence. The man said it wasn't operational because his electricity wasn’t working, according to police.
Fox said it’s not uncommon for houses where drug activity is present to have video cameras outside for surveillance.
In this case, since the man said he had no electricity, deputies contacted the Ypsilanti Township ordinance office. A warrant was obtained to search the mobile home to see if there were any ordinance violations. In order to occupy a structure, for instance, it must have electricity.
Deputies and township ordinance officers searched the mobile home.
“A strong odor of chemicals was immediately noticed,” Fox said.
Police found plastic pop bottles with a white powder residue, tubing, Mason jars and other materials related to cooking methamphetamines. A minimal amount of meth was found, Fox said.
The man eventually confessed to using the drug. He was immediately arrested on warrants for an unrelated drunken driving charge, according to police. Drug-related charges could follow.
A unit with the Michigan State Police that specializes in cleaning out drug houses responded to the residence to dispose of any hazardous materials.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
lefty48197
Fri, Jun 8, 2012 : 3:13 a.m.
I guess we won't have to worry about that punk squealing the tires or peeling out in his black lincoln. At least not for the next 20 years or so!
crystalgirl
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
I think that all Meth cooks would agree if W.C.S.D. were on Meth their response time would be faster in Y-town as for the previous comment about being health conscience and using glass over plastic this is cold cook, i.e. a pressure cook! Temperature and pressure r factors not easily measured in glass and not to mention not all Meth cooks/users look like a scene from zombie apocalypse. Most of us r functioning working class citizens, who like a good buzz. That was today's lesson in meth 101. take care NAYBAA, CRYSTAL GIRL Y TOWN!
stevek
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
How odd that this would happen in Ypsi Township.
u812
Thu, Jun 7, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
where are the jobs, snyder,expect to hear and see more of this.
ArgoC
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.
Just want to comment on how clearly written this article is. A pleasure to read.
Joe
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
At least he didnt chew some one's face off. So we've got that going for us.
Atticus F.
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
So I guess any evidence of drug manufacture would have to be thrown out, since they were only there to see if the electricity was turned off, and that was what the warrent was for... Also, if someone tells an official that their eletricity is off does that mean they have the right to search a persons home for any and all code violations? It sounds like the home owner was not disputing the fact that the electricity was off, so why would a warrant be necessary? just write a code violation and walk away. I'm not defending a meth. I am however insisting that police follow proper procedure, and follow all laws that they themselves are required to.
CincoDeMayo
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
Just talking about legalities here, I think the inadvertent find of meth paraphernalia is perfectly legal, as long as the entry to the house was legal. The police don't have to establish that they are looking for drugs to come across them and take action, as long as the drugs and related items are in plain view. I do wonder about the warrant to check for code violations. Although there was a stated code violation AND the police were denied entrance to the home.. I wonder how often warrants are requested to check for code violations and how quickly they are granted to search other homes. Standard of process is what I would be questioning.
Alex Swary
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
Better call Saul!
RJA
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
He was arrested, is he still lodged? Good Job MSP and WCPD !!
smokeblwr
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
Mobile home? Meth? PLASTIC pop bottles! If he used glass it would be healthier to avoid the chemicals leeching in.
Richard
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 5:10 a.m.
Plastic is used for cold cooking meth which can be just as dangerous.
Robert Northrup
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
Plastic pop bottles don't turn into shrapnel when the volatile chemicals in them explode. I know this from a webpage about home-made ginger ale. Honestly. If you ask me any more than that, Saul Goodman told me I don't have to say anything.
bedrog
Tue, Jun 5, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
While i don't think meth users are, by definition, all that health conscious even a minimal awareness of the amazing AMC show BREAKING BAD would indicate that the lowest of lowlife tweakers has come to expect better "product" than this clown was making.