North Carolina Man Charged With Meth Production

Authorities have arrested a 57-year-old man for using his Bladen County home to manufacture methamphetamine. Media reports suggest that the White Lake Police Department began their investigation into the man’s activities after receiving tips from members of the public. WLPD officers were joined by deputies from the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office when the man’s Highway 41 residence was visited and searched on Nov. 29.

Initial reports do not reveal what type of evidence the drug investigation unearthed, but it was apparently enough to convince a judge to issue a search warrant. During the house search, police and deputies claim to have discovered several items and substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The BCSO then called experts from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation to secure the premises and remove any hazardous materials.

Media accounts indicate that the man was taken into custody at the scene without incident. He has been charged with multiple counts of possessing materials used to make methamphetamine and maintaining a residence for the purpose of selling or keeping illegal drugs. He also faces a cocaine possession charge. According to the BCSO, the man remains in custody and his bond has been set at $50,000.

The penalties for serious drug crimes are severe in North Carolina, but proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt can be challenging for prosecutors even when the police officers involved followed procedure and obtained a search warrant. Experienced criminal defense attorneys could seek to have seized drugs or other evidence ruled inadmissible if police officers strayed beyond boundaries laid down by the judge issuing the search warrant, and items discovered that are not specifically mentioned in the warrant could also be excluded.